Minerals such as sand, gravel and stone are essential for building and maintaining the homes, schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure that communities rely on every day. As minerals can only be extracted where they naturally occur, KCC has a legal responsibility as the Minerals Planning Authority to plan for a steady and adequate supply of minerals to meet future needs.
The Kent Minerals Sites Plan forms part of that process. It identifies locations that may be suitable in principle for future mineral extraction, while taking account of environmental, social and economic considerations.
The draft Plan carries forward three existing allocations from the current 2020 Minerals Sites Plan:
- Chapel Farm, Lenham (soft sand)
- Stonecastle Farm, Hadlow (sharp sand and gravel)
- Moat Farm, Capel (sharp sand and gravel).
The draft Plan also proposes one new allocation for hard rock extraction:
- Land south and west of Hermitage Quarry, near Aylesford, for Kentish Ragstone.
The review of the existing Minerals Sites Plan identified a future shortfall in hard rock supply. Current evidence indicates that Kent needs around 19.9 million tonnes of hard rock up to 2039, with Kent’s existing stone reserves expected to be exhausted by around 2033.
Part of the proposed allocation includes a plantation on ancient woodland site (PAWS), which is treated as ancient woodland in planning policy. Ancient woodland is recognised as an irreplaceable habitat and receives a high level of protection within the planning system. The impacts of the proposed allocation on ancient woodland and other environmental considerations will form part of the independent examination.
“The Kent Minerals Sites Plan is an important part of the County Council's responsibility to plan for the minerals needed to support homes, schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure across Kent.”
Linden Kemkaran, Leader of KCC, said: “The Kent Minerals Sites Plan is an important part of the County Council's responsibility to plan for the minerals needed to support homes, schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure across Kent.
‘The Plan must balance future mineral needs with environmental, social and economic considerations, which is why it is important that people take the opportunity to share their views through this consultation.
‘We recognise that some of the proposals will attract strong views and we encourage everyone to read the information available and submit their comments."
“Over the next six weeks, we're asking for your comments on whether the draft Minerals Sites Plan is legally compliant and sound ahead of its independent examination.”
David Wimble, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, added: “Over the next six weeks, we're asking for your comments on whether the draft Minerals Sites Plan is legally compliant and sound ahead of its independent examination.
‘This consultation is an important part of the process. Your comments will help ensure that all relevant issues are considered as the Plan moves forward.”
It is important to note that inclusion of a site within the Minerals Sites Plan does not grant planning permission.
Any future mineral development proposal would require a separate planning application, detailed technical assessments, further public consultation and a separate planning decision.
The independent Planning Inspector will consider all evidence submitted in support of, and in response to, the draft Plan, including environmental impacts, alternatives, mineral need and public representations, before determining whether the Plan is legally compliant and sound.
The consultation is seeking representations on whether the Plan is legally compliant and sound ahead of its independent examination.
Representations can be submitted until 11.59pm on Thursday 10 September 2026.
The draft Plan, supporting evidence and guidance on how to respond are available at: www.kent.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste.
Should you wish to view hard copies of the consultation documents, they are available at Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XQ, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, for the duration of the consultation.
