This page answers common questions about the draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan.

It explains what is being proposed, why it is being proposed, and how you can have your say. We recommend that you read these alongside the draft Mineral Sites Plan and supporting documents.

We will update this page when needed during the consultation.

The consultation on the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan runs from the 30 July to 10 September 2026.

About the Plan

What is the Kent Mineral Sites Plan?

The Kent Mineral Sites Plan is part of the Local Plan documents that the County Council is required to prepare. It provides certainty to the community and the mineral industry by identifying land where mineral development is acceptable in principle.

Why does the Council need a plan for mineral sites?

Kent County Council (KCC) is the Minerals and Waste Planning Authority.

The Council has a legal duty to plan for a steady and adequate supply of minerals needed for construction, including roads, buildings and other infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and utilities, as well as the repair of historic buildings.

Minerals such as sand, gravel and hard rock can only be extracted where they naturally occur in the ground. This limits where quarries can be developed.

What are you proposing to change in this draft Plan?

One new site is proposed, and this is known as ‘Land south and west of Hermitage Quarry’ near Aylesford for hard rock (Kentish Ragstone).

Existing sites for soft sand (Chapel Farm, Lenham) and sharp sand and gravel (Stonecastle Farm, Hadlow and Moat Farm, Capel) remain unchanged from the current Mineral Sites Plan that was adopted in 2020. These sites are carried forward into the draft Mineral Sites Plan.

Does including a site in the Plan mean quarrying has been approved?

No. The Plan is not the final version and the proposed allocation of a site in the draft Plan means it is considered suitable in principle, not that quarrying has been approved.

Even if the final version of the Plan includes the allocated sites, planning permission would still be required before work can take place on site. A detailed planning application would be required and would need to address the development management criteria set out in the Mineral Sites Plan.

What does this Plan not do?

It does not:

• grant planning permission
• fix final quarry boundaries, although they would be within the sites proposed for allocation
• consider environmental impacts to the same level of detail as a planning application.

What did the County Council decide on 16 July 2026?

The County Council agreed to publish the Pre-Submission Draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan for a six-week period of representations on its soundness and legal compliance and, following that period, to submit the Plan for independent examination by an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.

The Council did not grant planning permission or approve new quarrying.

Any future quarrying would require a separate planning application, detailed environmental assessment, further public consultation and a separate planning decision.

Proposed extension of Hermitage Quarry near Aylesford

What is being proposed at Hermitage Quarry?

The draft Plan identifies land to the south and west of Hermitage Quarry as a potential site for future hard rock extraction (Kentish Ragstone).

It would be an extension to the existing quarry, using the existing processing plant, with similar controls and operating practices as the existing quarry.

What materials would be produced at the site?

The current site produces the following materials:

• Premium Aggregates
• Rock Armour and Gabion Stone
• Sub-base and Capping Materials
• Fill Class Materials
• Drainage Aggregates
• Kentish Ragstone Building Stone
• Landscaping and Decorative Aggregates
• Ready-Mix Concrete

An extended site would be able to produce the same materials.

Why has this site been included?

The draft Plan needs to consider whether there are suitable sites to meet Kent’s future need for hard rock. Policy CSM 2 of the adopted Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2024-39 sets out the need and how this is based on the latest Local Aggregates Assessment.

The latest assessment identifies a hard rock requirement of approximately 19.9 million tonnes, with existing Kentish Ragstone reserves expected to be exhausted by around 2033 at current extraction rates.

As part of preparing the draft Plan, KCC carried out two ‘Call for Sites’, inviting landowners and operators to nominate locations they considered suitable to meet the identified need.

Only the site at Oaken Wood, as an extension to Hermitage Quarry, was put forward for hard rock extraction through this process.

KCC also considered alternatives as part of preparing the draft Plan. This included looking at different ways of meeting future need, for example whether demand could be met from other areas, including increased reliance on imports from outside Kent.

No reasonable alternative Ragstone site in Kent has been identified. Other sources of aggregate, including imports, are potentially available, but their continued ability to meet Kent’s requirements is not certain and no clear alternative source of heritage quality Kentish Ragstone has been identified.

Taking all of this into account, the extension to Hermitage Quarry has been included in the draft Plan because:

• evidence shows that Kent requires more hard rock than can be supplied from existing quarries in Kent. We need to plan to 2039
• Kentish Ragstone is important for:
  • a wide range of construction materials
  • its use as a ‘dimension stone’ in the restoration and conservation of historic buildings, including nationally significant sites such as the Tower of London, Leeds Castle and Rochester Cathedral
• the site would extend an existing quarry using established infrastructure
• the site is deliverable – a key policy test for a Local Plan
• it is capable of meeting the strict planning policy tests associated with the development of ancient woodland (in this case a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS)) which requires ‘wholly exceptional reasons’ and a ‘suitable compensation strategy’.

Although relatively little Ragstone is needed as dimension stone (cut or finished into specific sizes and shapes for structural or decorative use), large quantities must be quarried to find blocks that are big enough and of suitable quality to be cut into bespoke stone for heritage projects. The remaining material is used as a high quality aggregate.

The proposed allocation at Hermitage Quarry is supported by an evidence base. This looks at:

• whether there is a need for the development
• its likely environmental effects
• whether it can realistically be delivered
• whether it is sustainable (for example, how it balances economic need with environmental and social impacts).

As part of the Local Plan examination, a Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will further assess the above in confirming whether the site can be allocated or not.

Is this site protected ancient woodland?

Part of the proposed Hermitage Quarry extension includes areas classified as ancient woodland.

Ancient woodland is land that has been continuously wooded for hundreds of years. It is recognised in National Planning Policy as an irreplaceable habitat, which means it cannot be recreated once lost.

Ancient woodland has the highest level of protection in the planning system.

This means that development which would damage or destroy it should normally be refused.

Development of ancient woodland can only be permitted if ‘wholly exceptional reasons’ can be shown to exist, which is a very high bar.

In practice, this includes the need to show:

• a clear and evidenced need for the development
• no reasonable alternatives
• and benefits that clearly outweigh the harm.

In addition, a ‘suitable compensation strategy’ has to be in place.

These issues would be assessed in greater detail through the planning process.

What is a plantation on ancient woodland site (PAWS)?

A plantation on ancient woodland site (PAWS) is an area of ancient woodland that has been replanted, often with non-native tree species.

Although the trees may not be original, important features of ancient woodland often remain, particularly in the soil, seedbank and ecology.

The ancient woodland within the proposed Hermitage Quarry extension includes areas identified as PAWS, which in this case is a non-native sweet chestnut coppice.

For planning purposes, PAWS is treated as ancient woodland, meaning it has the same level of protection under national policy.

This means the presence of PAWS is a key consideration in assessing whether the site is suitable.

What are the “wholly exceptional reasons” being considered?

These are based on the Plan evidence and supporting reports. They include:

• the need to maintain a steady and reliable supply of hard rock
• the importance of Kentish Ragstone for construction and maintaining historic buildings
• the lack of reasonable alternative sources within Kent
• the benefits of using a local supply of hard rock, including fewer long-distance lorry journeys and less pressure on Kent’s road network
• socio-economic benefits, including jobs and support for the wider supply chain
• the ability to extend an existing quarry, making use of established facilities
• the potential for environmental improvements.
• loss of significant recycled aggregate production could increase demand for primary aggregate.

An independent Planning Inspector will assess all of the evidence, including public responses, and decide whether this very high policy test has been met.

How much ancient woodland could be affected?

Around 49 hectares is proposed as a potential extraction area. Around 41 hectares is identified as plantation on ancient woodland site (PAWS).

The exact area that could be quarried is not fixed at this stage. The draft Plan identifies a broad area for assessment, but the final working boundary, buffers and layout would be decided if a planning application is submitted, based on detailed technical evidence.

While this means the size and shape of the extraction area could change, no more than 41 hectares of designated ancient woodland would be lost.

Can ancient woodland be replaced or mitigated?

Ancient woodland cannot be replaced. It is an irreplaceable habitat that cannot be recreated once lost.

A high level compensation strategy has been proposed for Oaken Wood that includes:

• native woodland creation
• enhancement of existing native woodland
• habitat improvement
• long-term management.

A total of 154 hectares of native woodland would be created and enhanced.

This will be considered at the examination of the Sites Plan and would be examined in detail if a planning application is submitted.

It will be necessary to clearly distinguish between:

• compensation for ancient woodland
• biodiversity net gain (which applies to other habitats)
• other environmental measures.

Would Oaken Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) be affected?

The proposed quarry area does not include the Oaken Wood Geological SSSI. However, any future application must show that unacceptable direct or indirect impacts would be avoided.

How will potential impacts be considered if a planning application were made?

Any future planning application for a further extension to Hermitage Quarry would need to meet site-specific requirements included in the Plan and demonstrate that they can be properly managed.

Assessments which help decide whether the site is acceptable in principle (and so could be allocated in the Plan) have already been completed. These include the following:

• Ecology Assessment, WSP, June 2026
• Alternative Ragstone Supplies Assessment, WSP, 16 June 2026
• Landscape Assessment, WSP, 15 June 2026
• Carbon Assessment for Potential Extension of Hermitage Quarry, WSP, June 2026
• Air Quality Assessment for Potential Extension of Hermitage Quarry, WSP, June 2026
• Health Assessment of Impact, WSP, 15 June 2026
• Nomination of Hermitage Quarry for Allocation – Socio-Economic Impact Assessment, BPP Consulting, June 2026

What about traffic and HGVs?

Any future application would need to assess traffic impacts in detail.

This would include:

• use of existing quarry access
• impacts on local roads
• effects on air quality.

Transport assessments would need to show that unacceptable impacts can be avoided.

What about noise, dust and blasting?

Detailed technical assessments would be required to be submitted with a planning application.

If permission was granted, controls would be put in place through planning conditions to:

• manage noise levels
• limit dust emissions
• control blasting and vibration.

These measures would be designed to protect residents and businesses.

What about wildlife and habitats?

Any application would need to consider impacts on:

• protected species
• Local Wildlife Sites
• wider habitats and ecosystems.

This includes considering both direct impacts and indirect effects on surrounding areas.

Will public rights of way be maintained?

Public rights of way would need to be kept open where possible, or safely diverted if necessary.

What about landscape and visual impacts?

The impact on the landscape would be carefully considered in any planning application.

This includes potential effects on the Kent Downs National Landscape, as well as local views and visual amenity.

What about water, flooding and restoration?

Any planning application would need to show that:

• groundwater and water supplies are protected
• water quality is not affected
• flood risk is properly managed.

A detailed restoration plan would also be required. This would set out how the site would be restored and managed in the long term after quarrying has finished.

How would all these impacts be controlled?

Any future planning application would need to meet site-specific development management criteria set out in the Plan.

These require the applicant to:

• look at all potential impacts in detail put forward measures to avoid, reduce or manage those impacts

• demonstrate that the development would not result in unacceptable harm.

The application would also need to consider cumulative impacts. This means looking at the combined effect of the proposed quarry extension, existing quarry operations and other nearby development, to make sure that, taken together, they do not create unacceptable impacts.

The plan making process

What is Regulation 19?

This is the stage where the Council publishes the version of the Plan it intends to submit for independent examination by a Planning Inspector appointed to examine the Plan on behalf of the Secretary of State. Comments (representations) are invited on the draft Plan.

A first draft of the Plan was previously published for comments in 2023.

When can I make my comments?

There is a six-week period during which you can submit your views. This runs from the 30 July to 10 September 2026.

What happens after the six week representation period?

All responses made within the 6-week representation period are sent to an independent Planning Inspector. The draft Plan is examined by the Inspector who may wish to hold public hearings to which people are invited to attend and explain their views. Changes may be recommended. The draft Plan can only be adopted if it is found to be legally compliant and “sound”.

What does “sound” mean?

The Inspector will assess whether the draft Plan is “sound”, meaning it is:

• positively prepared - meets identified needs
• justified - based on evidence and alternatives
• effective - is deliverable
• consistent with national policy.

Is there a deadline for submitting the draft Plan?

This year the Government updated the plan making system, but this Plan can still be prepared under the old system provided it is submitted for examination by 31 December 2026.

Will my comments be public?

Yes. Comments (representations) on the draft Plan will be published as part of the process and shared with the Planning Inspector.

Where can I find more information?

The full draft Plan, supporting documents and guidance on how to respond are available on the Council’s website.