Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026

Welcome to Kent County Council’s public consultation on the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026.

About this consultation

Minerals such as sand, gravel and hard rock are essential for building and maintaining the homes, schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure that communities rely on every day. Unlike other types of development that need to be planned for, minerals can only be extracted where they naturally occur.

Kent County Council has a legal responsibility as the Minerals Planning Authority to plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregate resources to meet future need.

The Kent Mineral Sites Plan forms part of that process. The Plan identifies locations that may be suitable in principle for future mineral extraction while taking account of environmental, social and economic considerations.

This consultation is an opportunity to comment on the soundness and legal compliance of the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026 before it is submitted for independent examination.

Background

The adopted Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2020 set out where mineral extraction and processing is acceptable in principle in Kent, supporting the strategy of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan. It identified sites for extracting soft sand (building sand), sharp sand and gravel, ensuring Kent has a steady and adequate supply of minerals to meet future development needs for the county.

Following the adoption of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2024–2039 in March 2025, the County Council reviewed the Kent Mineral Sites Plan in line with the requirement for local planning authorities to review local plans at least every five years.

The review looked at whether the existing minerals sites are still suitable and whether any new sites are needed to meet Kent’s mineral supply needs up to 2039. It found that much of the adopted Plan is still relevant, but updates are needed to reflect future mineral supply requirements, specifically for hard rock supply.

Existing site allocations – soft sand, sharp sand and gravel

The existing site allocations are:

  • Chapel Farm, Lenham (soft sand)
  • Stonecastle Farm, Hadlow (sharp sand and gravel)
  • Moat Farm, Capel (sharp sand and gravel).

No changes are proposed to the these sites in the adopted Kent Minerals Sites Plan 2020. These sites are proposed to be included in the new Plan because they remain necessary to maintain the supply of these specific aggregate resources.

Possible location for hard rock extraction

The review of the existing Mineral 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.

To address this, the County Council carried out two ‘call for sites’ exercises to identify possible locations for future hard rock extraction. One site was nominated for consideration: Land south and west of Hermitage Quarry, near Aylesford

Hermitage Quarry Extension site assessment

Following the Regulation 18 consultation in 2023, the County Council carried out and commissioned a range of technical assessments relating to the nominated extension to Hermitage Quarry. These assessments considered various matters including ecology, landscape, health, air quality, carbon, heritage conservation, alternative supplies and socio-economic effects.

The assessments concluded that the nominated hard rock site could be included within the draft Plan, taking account of national planning policy and guidance.

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.

Important information

Including a site in the Kent Mineral Sites Plan does not grant planning permission.

If a site is included in the Plan, any future mineral development proposal would still require:

  • a separate planning application
  • detailed environmental and technical assessments
  • further public consultatio
  • a separate planning decision.

Consultation and next steps

The County Council considered the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026, including the proposed hard rock allocation, on 16 July 2026. The Council agreed to hold a Regulation 19 public consultation and then submit the Plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

A Consultation Statement has been prepared which summarises previous consultations and explains how comments have been taken into account. The Consultation Statement is available in the 'Documents' section.

Tell us your views

We are now inviting comments on the soundness and legal compliance of the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026. This consultation is being carried out under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

Pre-Submission Draft Kent Minerals Sites Plan 2026


All comments on the Pre-Submission Draft Plan received during the consultation period will be forwarded to the Secretary of State for consideration as part of the Independent Examination.

Before commenting on the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026, we strongly recommend that you read the Guidance on Making a Representation and the Statement of Representations Procedure.

This consultation specifically seeks comments on the Plan's soundness and legal compliance, and the guidance explains the soundness tests and statutory plan-making requirements relevant to this stage of the process.

Guidance on making a representationStatements of Representations Procedure


You may also find it helpful to read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Further supporting evidence documents has also been prepared to inform the Plan, including:

Additional evidence is available from our Supporting Evidence webpage.

Additional Supporting Evidence


You can make representations on the legal compliance and soundness of the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026, the Sustainability Appraisal, and other supporting evidence by completing the online Representations Form.

Complete the Representations Form


If you are unable to complete the online form, you can complete the Word version or provide a written submission and upload them to the webpage or return them by:

Email: mwlp@kent.gov.uk

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

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.

This consultation closes at 11:59 on Thursday 10 September 2026.

Welcome to Kent County Council’s public consultation on the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026.

About this consultation

Minerals such as sand, gravel and hard rock are essential for building and maintaining the homes, schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure that communities rely on every day. Unlike other types of development that need to be planned for, minerals can only be extracted where they naturally occur.

Kent County Council has a legal responsibility as the Minerals Planning Authority to plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregate resources to meet future need.

The Kent Mineral Sites Plan forms part of that process. The Plan identifies locations that may be suitable in principle for future mineral extraction while taking account of environmental, social and economic considerations.

This consultation is an opportunity to comment on the soundness and legal compliance of the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026 before it is submitted for independent examination.

Background

The adopted Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2020 set out where mineral extraction and processing is acceptable in principle in Kent, supporting the strategy of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan. It identified sites for extracting soft sand (building sand), sharp sand and gravel, ensuring Kent has a steady and adequate supply of minerals to meet future development needs for the county.

Following the adoption of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2024–2039 in March 2025, the County Council reviewed the Kent Mineral Sites Plan in line with the requirement for local planning authorities to review local plans at least every five years.

The review looked at whether the existing minerals sites are still suitable and whether any new sites are needed to meet Kent’s mineral supply needs up to 2039. It found that much of the adopted Plan is still relevant, but updates are needed to reflect future mineral supply requirements, specifically for hard rock supply.

Existing site allocations – soft sand, sharp sand and gravel

The existing site allocations are:

  • Chapel Farm, Lenham (soft sand)
  • Stonecastle Farm, Hadlow (sharp sand and gravel)
  • Moat Farm, Capel (sharp sand and gravel).

No changes are proposed to the these sites in the adopted Kent Minerals Sites Plan 2020. These sites are proposed to be included in the new Plan because they remain necessary to maintain the supply of these specific aggregate resources.

Possible location for hard rock extraction

The review of the existing Mineral 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.

To address this, the County Council carried out two ‘call for sites’ exercises to identify possible locations for future hard rock extraction. One site was nominated for consideration: Land south and west of Hermitage Quarry, near Aylesford

Hermitage Quarry Extension site assessment

Following the Regulation 18 consultation in 2023, the County Council carried out and commissioned a range of technical assessments relating to the nominated extension to Hermitage Quarry. These assessments considered various matters including ecology, landscape, health, air quality, carbon, heritage conservation, alternative supplies and socio-economic effects.

The assessments concluded that the nominated hard rock site could be included within the draft Plan, taking account of national planning policy and guidance.

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.

Important information

Including a site in the Kent Mineral Sites Plan does not grant planning permission.

If a site is included in the Plan, any future mineral development proposal would still require:

  • a separate planning application
  • detailed environmental and technical assessments
  • further public consultatio
  • a separate planning decision.

Consultation and next steps

The County Council considered the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026, including the proposed hard rock allocation, on 16 July 2026. The Council agreed to hold a Regulation 19 public consultation and then submit the Plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

A Consultation Statement has been prepared which summarises previous consultations and explains how comments have been taken into account. The Consultation Statement is available in the 'Documents' section.

Tell us your views

We are now inviting comments on the soundness and legal compliance of the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026. This consultation is being carried out under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

Pre-Submission Draft Kent Minerals Sites Plan 2026


All comments on the Pre-Submission Draft Plan received during the consultation period will be forwarded to the Secretary of State for consideration as part of the Independent Examination.

Before commenting on the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026, we strongly recommend that you read the Guidance on Making a Representation and the Statement of Representations Procedure.

This consultation specifically seeks comments on the Plan's soundness and legal compliance, and the guidance explains the soundness tests and statutory plan-making requirements relevant to this stage of the process.

Guidance on making a representationStatements of Representations Procedure


You may also find it helpful to read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Further supporting evidence documents has also been prepared to inform the Plan, including:

Additional evidence is available from our Supporting Evidence webpage.

Additional Supporting Evidence


You can make representations on the legal compliance and soundness of the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2026, the Sustainability Appraisal, and other supporting evidence by completing the online Representations Form.

Complete the Representations Form


If you are unable to complete the online form, you can complete the Word version or provide a written submission and upload them to the webpage or return them by:

Email: mwlp@kent.gov.uk

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

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.

This consultation closes at 11:59 on Thursday 10 September 2026.