The Plan makes provision for soft sand, sharp sand, gravels and hard rock allocations. It includes a proposed allocation of land south and west of Hermitage Quarry near Aylesford for the future extraction of Kentish Ragstone, a hard rock aggregate.
The decision follows extensive technical assessments and public consultation, including significant community engagement both for and against the proposal.
As Kent’s Minerals Planning Authority, KCC has a legal responsibility to plan for the minerals needed to support construction to support homes, schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure. Minerals can only be extracted where they naturally occur, therefore local planning authorities must identify suitable locations to meet future demand and for allocations to be deliverable.
Evidence shows Kent faces a significant shortfall in hard rock aggregate over the coming years. The proposed allocation at Hermitage Quarry would help meet that need and also secure a future supply of dimension stone – a nationally important material used to repair and conserve historic buildings including Canterbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle, Rochester Castle and the Tower of London.
Importantly, today's decision does not grant planning permission for quarrying. Any future quarry extension would still require a separate planning application, detailed environmental assessments and further public consultation before any development could take place.
The independent examination will allow a Planning Inspector to consider all of the evidence, including the need for the mineral, the availability of alternatives, environmental impacts and concerns raised by local communities.
“The decision taken today is not a decision to approve quarrying. It is a decision to submit the Plan for independent examination...”
David Wimble, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, said: "We know this proposal has generated strong views and concerns within local communities, particularly about the potential impact on Oaken Wood and ancient woodland habitats.
‘As Kent's Minerals Planning Authority, we have a legal responsibility to plan for the minerals needed to support homes, infrastructure, economic growth and the conservation of nationally important historic buildings.
‘We recognise that there are competing national planning policies in play with the need to plan for mineral supply and to protect ancient woodland. We have carefully considered the planning policy tests, and are satisfied that the merits of the proposal warrant detailed examination by an independent Planning Inspector.
‘The decision taken today is not a decision to approve quarrying. It is a decision to submit the Plan for independent examination so that all of the evidence can be tested openly and transparently by an independent Planning Inspector.
‘The independent examination will provide an opportunity for all views to be considered before any conclusions are reached. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the Plan to take part in the public consultation which will be published shortly.”
The consultation on the Plan will run for six weeks before being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. At that stage, residents and other interested parties will have a further opportunity to submit comments, which will be considered as part of the examination process.
