On 16 July, Kent County Councillors voted 37 to 31, with 4 abstentions, to approve the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan. 

 

Left unchanged, the KCC Administration will have allowed Gallagher to extend Hermitage Lane Quarry further into 49 hectares of irreplaceable ancient woodland at Barming, Maidstone Kent.

 

But the outcome is far from settled. 

 

The Plan now moves to a formal public consultation on its soundness and legal compliance, closing at 11:59pm on Thursday 10 September 2026. Every comment submitted during this period is sent on to a government-appointed planning inspector as part of an Independent Examination — meaning there's still a real opportunity to change the outcome.

 

Why this proposal doesn't stack up

 

The case for objection is strong. The proposed extension breaches national planning policy — specifically NPPF Paragraph 193(c) — because the commercial case for extraction doesn't meet the "wholly exceptional reasons" required to justify destroying irreplaceable ancient woodland, and the 49 hectares it would be the single greatest loss of ancient woodland in the British Isles in a generation. 

Ragstone is available elsewhere in Kent without this cost to irreplaceable habitat, so an alternative site should be found once Oaken Wood is confirmed as fully protected from quarrying.

 

You don't need to be an expert to respond. We've put together a ready-to-use template letter below, so you can send a considered objection in a couple of minutes.

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How to respond.

 

1. Click on this link to open an email to: mwlp@kent.gov.uk 

 

2. Copy the subject line in the text at the foot of this page into to the subject line in your email

 

3. Then copy the text into the text box in your email.

 

4. Add todays date.

5. Add your name and address and Postcode….essential

 

6. Press send.

 

7. or even better print out and post to: 

 

Minerals and Waste Planning Policy Team, Planning Applications Group, Sessions House, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XQ.

Draft letter to cut and paste in to mwlp@kent.gov.uk 

Email Subject: 

Regulation 19 – Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan July 2026.

Email Text:

XX Aug 2026

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write to formally object to the proposed allocation of land to the South and West of Hermitage Quarry, Aylesford, as it is contrary to Paragraph 193 C. of the National Planning Policy Framework:

c) development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees) should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists.

Ragstone deposits are widespread in West Kent and the commercial and utility arguments for the proposed extension at Hermitage Quarry do not reach the high planning policy bar of “wholly exceptional reasons”.

The scale of destruction of irreplaceable habitat sought is unquestionably of national significance, and would amount to the single greatest loss of ancient woodland in the British Isles in a generation. In addition to the circa 49 hectares of woodland directly impacted by this proposal, the extent of disturbance, fragmentation and deterioration of irreplaceable habitat would also be exceptional and therefore unacceptable in planning policy terms.

In conclusion, planning policy now appropriately recognises the exceptional importance of irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland to our nation, heritage and biodiversity. This is why the historic attrition of ancient woodland in this country has now all but ceased.

Ragstone is found elsewhere in Kent, and in locations where no irreplaceable habitats survive. An alternative site for hard rock will come forward once a clear determination is reached that ancient Oaken Wood is fully protected from quarry extension plans

Yours faithfully,

Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Senior figures at Maidstone Borough Council have held high-level talks with the chief executive of South East Water, focusing on infrastructure investment, spatial planning and the future of water resources across the Borough.

Cllr Tony Harwood, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Management at Maidstone Borough Council, met with John Halsall, CEO of South East Water, on Wednesday 29th July, alongside Cllr Stuart Jeffery, Leader of the Council, and William Cornall, Director of Regeneration and Place.

Describing the meeting, Cllr Harwood said:

"Stuart Jeffery (Leader of Council), William Cornall (Director of Regeneration and Place) and I held a very positive, business-like and productive meeting with John Halsall, CEO at South East Water, on Wednesday 29th July.

Topics covered included the potential for closer working and making common cause on lobbying the Government, Environment Agency and regulators for sensible water policy reforms.

Spatial planning matters were also a key focus of discussion, encompassing scale and locations of development allocations, rollout of water conserving technology across new and existing developments, and potential for new land use rules within aquifer protection zones, to facilitate improved groundwater recharge.

Targeted investment in infrastructure to tackle low pressure and supply disruption challenges across parts of the network were also covered, with specific reference to those areas of the Borough that are particularly vulnerable including Loose, Coxheath, Linton, Harrietsham, Ulcombe, Staplehurst and Headcorn.

The use of treated drinking quality water for agriculture, horticulture, street cleaning and other purposes was also covered, with the potential for local pilot initiatives to support construction of new farm irrigation reservoirs, infrastructure to support 'grey water' re-use.

At the conclusion of the meeting John Halsall specifically requested a further meeting in the near future to review progress against the commitments made. The constructive nature and shared vision that emerged from this dialogue bodes well for better local planning and decision making over precious water resources in this overcrowded and drought stressed corner of the country."

Vulnerable areas identified

Among the issues discussed was targeted investment to address low water pressure and supply disruption, with particular reference to parts of the Borough that experience ongoing challenges, including Loose, Coxheath, Linton, Harrietsham, Ulcombe, Staplehurst and Headcorn.

Planning and water policy

The discussion also touched on the interaction between spatial planning and water resources, including the scale and location of future development allocations, wider rollout of water-conserving technology in new and existing homes, and possible new land use rules within aquifer protection zones to support groundwater recharge.

Alternative uses for treated drinking-quality water were also raised, including agriculture, horticulture and street cleaning, with scope for local pilot schemes to support new farm irrigation reservoirs and grey water re-use infrastructure.

Next steps

John Halsall is reported to have asked for a follow-up meeting to review progress against the commitments made during the discussion. Cllr Harwood said the constructive nature of the meeting bodes well for improved local planning and decision-making over water resources in what he described as an overcrowded and drought-stressed part of the country.

Work has started on three new pocket parks in Maidstone town centre, at St Faith's Street, Brewer Street and Union Street. The project is part of Maidstone Borough Council's drive to improve the town centre environment and help it adapt to increasingly extreme weather.

Shaded, tree-lined streets can feel many degrees cooler than areas dominated by concrete and tarmac, and the new pocket parks will introduce trees, planting and sustainable rain gardens into areas currently dominated by hard surfaces. As well as boosting biodiversity and creating stepping stones for wildlife, the schemes will turn underused stretches of highway into attractive places to stop, rest and enjoy the town centre, with new seating, planting and upgraded paving.

The key driver for this project, however, is delivering local surface water drainage improvements. All three sites sit on steep gradients, where the trend towards more intense rainfall events is raising surface water flood risk. The 'rain garden' component of the three new pocket parks is therefore vital in supporting climate change adaptation in the town centre, helping Maidstone cope come rain or shine.

A more welcoming, greener town centre is also good news for local shops and businesses. Attractive, shaded streets encourage people to linger, stay longer and spend more time browsing rather than rushing through, helping to drive footfall and support Maidstone's retailers, cafes and market traders. Towns that invest in high-quality public realm are consistently shown to be more appealing shopping destinations, giving Maidstone a stronger pitch against out-of-town centres and online retail.

The scheme was approved through the planning process, with the council's report concluding it would deliver environmental and visual improvements, support the public realm, and improve the setting of nearby conservation areas and heritage assets.

Temporary road closures will be needed to carry out the work safely. St Faith's Street will close between Week Street and Station Road, with smaller closures on parts of Brewer Street and Union Street. The work is expected to take around six weeks.

Councillor Clive English, Deputy Leader for Maidstone Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement, said:

"These pocket parks will bring more trees and planting into the heart of Maidstone, helping to create a cooler, more attractive and welcoming town centre for everyone. The works will cause some short-term disruption, and I would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience, as the long-term benefits will be enjoyed for years to come."

Kent's prevailing hot, dry conditions are putting real pressure on local wildlife. As ponds, ditches and streams dry up across the borough, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates are increasingly struggling to find accessible clean water to drink, bathe, and even breed in. For many urban species, a single remaining water source can be the difference between survival and death during a drought.

In response, Lib Dem Councillors Clive English and Tony Harwood have brought a new wildlife pond to Brenchley Gardens, in the heart of Maidstone town centre — restoring a much-loved feature that was inexplicably filled in back in the late 1980s. It's the result of years of persistent campaigning by the two councillors to see it replaced.

Since the pond was filled, birds and small mammals have already been spotted drinking from it — proof of just how quickly wildlife responds when given the chance.

Clive and Tony are now urging residents and gardeners across Maidstone to take similar action and consider creating a pond of their own, however small. Even a modest container pond can provide a vital drinking and bathing spot for garden wildlife during dry spells, while also becoming a fascinating habitat in its own right.

Clive English said: 

"The prevailing drought conditions make it more important than ever that we restore our lost ponds to the landscape, both urban and rural. Every garden pond we create is a small but real act of climate resilience."

Tony Harwood added: 

"As soon as the restored pond was filled, birds and small mammals could be seen drinking from the new wildlife pond. It's a reminder of how quickly nature responds when you give it the chance."

The Maidstone and Tonbridge & Malling Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Michael Stephens has been selected as the party's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the Maidstone & Malling constituency, following a selection process in which he stood against fellow candidates David Naghi and Nicholas Chan.

The selection comes at a pivotal moment for politics in Maidstone & Malling. Sitting Conservative MP Helen Grant has announced she will be standing down at the next general election, having been the MP for first Maidstone & The Weald and more recently Maidstone & Malling for the last 16 years. Michael's selection marks the start of an ambitious campaign to establish the party as the leading challengers and offer voters a fresh, liberal alternative.

A fresh voice for Maidstone & Malling

Michael brings a wealth of international experience to the campaign. A passionate internationalist, he has spent his career advocating for liberal values on the global stage, with a background in national security and foreign affairs that has taken him to some of the toughest conflict zones in the Middle East, including Palestine and Iraq. Trilingual, with fluency in both Hebrew and Arabic, Michael draws on this experience as a Government adviser and university lecturer to make the case for Britain playing a greater role in defending multilateralism, the rule of law and human rights in an increasingly dangerous world.

He is also a committed environmentalist. Much of Michael's career has focused on tackling climate change, including helping raise tens of millions of dollars to prevent climate-borne diseases from spreading among the world's most vulnerable people. Michael is especially concerned about the loss of natural habitat and biodiversity across the UK in the face of rapid urban development. He will fight to preserve our threatened woodland and natural spaces.

An energetic and experienced campaigner, Michael most recently helped lead the Liberal Democrats to victory in Tunbridge Wells at this year's local elections, unseating both Conservative and Labour councillors while holding off challenges from Reform and the Greens. He now brings that campaigning energy to Maidstone & Malling, with ambitions to grow the local party and make further gains in next year's West Kent Unitary Elections.

Get involved

Michael is looking forward to meeting residents across Maidstone & Malling and hearing the issues that matter most to them. If you would like to get involved with the campaign or find out more, please get in touch.

Hello@maidstonelibdems.co.uk

We can report that Kent County Councillors have voted 37–31 (with 4 abstentions) to approve the Kent Minerals Sites Plan. This includes a massive extension of Hermitage Quarry into ancient Oaken Wood, Barming. This allocation seeks the extraction of ragstone from a further 49 hectares, having already extended the quarry by 31 hectares 10 years ago. This decision was made despite the recent strengthening of the National Planning Policy Framework, which sets out clearly that any loss of "irreplaceable habitats" such as ancient woodland must evidence "wholly exceptional" circumstances.

There are significant deposits of high-quality ragstone elsewhere in Kent where no irreplaceable habitat or other environmental constraints exist.

Liberal Democrat County Councillors spoke powerfully against the motion to approve the Minerals Plan, including Geoffrey Samme (Maidstone Northeast) and Group Leader Antony Hook (Faversham).

Cllr Samme commented: "It was very clear that those speaking against the motion had a strong set of arguments, and put them far better than those on the other side. By contrast, the KCC Cabinet Members supporting the motion appeared uncertain, simply reading from their scripts."

Ahead of the vote, Cllr Tony Harwood (Maidstone Borough Council) and Chris Passmore also submitted an 800-signature petition calling on KCC to safeguard Oaken Wood by withdrawing their policy support for the quarry extension.

We remain determined to protect this much-loved and irreplaceable wildwood habitat. The narrowness of this vote shows that the local campaign to protect the woodland is working. 

We believe that KCC has significantly underestimated the strength of public and legal opposition to this decision, and that it will not survive scrutiny at the next stage.

A Government planning inspector will now be assigned to assess the Minerals Plan's "soundness" — a process taking several months, with no inquiry date yet confirmed. We will take part alongside our fellow campaigners, and a further public consultation and Inquiry in Public still lie ahead. There's a long way to go — we need to keep up the pressure, and we hugely appreciate all the help and support we have received from local people.

Chris Passmore added: "We heard a lot from those proposing the motion about the importance of Gallagher's Hermitage Quarry to the local economy as a justification for destroying irreplaceable ancient woodland. They now need to take full account of the impact of these disastrous plans on Oaken Wood, and change their plans to source ragstone from other locations. I believe that this can still be done commercially but without destroying an ancient woodland."

Cllr Tony Harwood stated: "I am confident that ancient Oaken Wood will be saved." He added: "The 'irreplaceable' status of ancient woodland is a game changer, and it was obvious today that KCC has not yet woken up to this fact."