A Public Inquiry with far-reaching implications for some of Britain’s oldest and best loved ancient buildings (including UNESCO World Heritage sites the Tower of London and Canterbury Cathedral) as well as local jobs in Kent, is underway in Maidstone.

Local employer, Gallagher Aggregates, is continuing its drive to extend the Hermitage Quarry which is the location of the last working reserve of quality Kentish Ragstone. The company is seeking planning permission to quarry 33 hectares (80 acres) over a 23 year period. This includes part of a local wood, known as Oaken Wood. This woodland, including the application site (14% of the wood) is almost entirely comprised of dense non-native sweet chestnut coppice, planted in the mid nineteenth century. The proposal will leave behind a managed woodland that is more than double the size of the current one and which will consist of native species, rather than non-native, and therefore also be ecologically better for wildlife.

The application was approved by Kent County Council in May 2011, but was subsequently called-in by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in August 2011, leading to a Public Inquiry which began on Tuesday 27th November at the Oakwood House Hotel, Maidstone, Kent.


In the lead up to the Inquiry, Nick Yandle, Chief Executive of Gallagher Ltd, said: "This application is good for Kent, good for the construction industry, good for local jobs and, with time, will see more than double the affected woodland footprint, from 33 hectares to 66 hectares, with native species trees instead of non-native sweet chestnut."

Mr Yandle explained: "The extension of the quarry will guarantee the future of 130 local jobs, will help Kent meet its aggregates needs for the construction industry and, as the only working Kentish Ragstone quarry, maintain the important supply of the stone which is needed for the upkeep of local buildings and churches but also nationally significant castles, cathedrals and palaces like the UN protected Tower of London, Canterbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle and many more. That's why the application is supported by English Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces and many others.

"It is important to stress that we have made enormous efforts to consider the environment and local amenity of the area. We will be preserving and re-using the woodland soils using best practice from projects like the high speed rail link. We will be doubling the woodland footprint with native trees and undertaking the exercise in a number of phases. The site will be screened from view by a 60m band of trees and we will ensure the remaining area is accessible to the public for their continued enjoyment.

"Years of experience in tried-and-tested techniques will ensure that the westerly extension of Hermitage Quarry is conducted to the highest possible standards. The Inquiry is about to commence and we hope that the Inspector and the public, when they hear the facts of the case, will support the local and national need for a continued supply of Kentish Ragstone."

At the Inquiry, Gallagher will be setting out key arguments for the application to be granted and the substantial measures that will be put in place to minimise any disruption to local people and the environment. These will cover local jobs, the ecological management of the new site, preserving Britain’s heritage, the lack of alternative sites and reducing environmental and financial costs. The inspector will evaluate the application against a hierarchy of need, the alternatives and the consequences.

(GK/IT)