Final hurdle cleared for Hermitage Quarry extension

Opponents withdraw challenge to Secretary of State’s decision to grant planning permission

AFTER three years passing through the planning process, the proposed extension of Gallagher Aggregates Ltd’s Hermitage Quarry, near Barming, in Kent, can now proceed after opponents withdrew their challenge to the decision by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, to grant planning permission allowing the quarrying of part of Oaken Wood.

Quarrying will now be undertaken in 15 phases over a 23-year period, with progressive restoration and tree planting. When completed the scheme will double the affected woodland footprint with native tree species, such as oak, rather than the current sweet chestnut coppice.

Nick Yandle, chief executive of Gallagher Group, said: ‘As well as protecting local employment it also means that, in the absence of any alternative source of Kentish Ragstone, we can ensure a steady supply of this important building material for the county and at the same time create a truly native woodland.

‘These planning decisions are determined by weighing the balance of considerations and it is inevitable that not everyone will be happy with the decision, whatever the outcome. In this instance, our employees, our customers, our suppliers and people involved in the conservation/restoration of listed and historic buildings are all delighted with the result.’

Mr Yandle added: ‘If people take the time to read the detailed evidence they will see that the ecological outcome of the development will be limited in the short term. Importantly, in the longer term the currently low ecological value will be improved by the planting of double the area of native-species trees in place of dense non-native sweet chestnut coppice, linking isolated woodland in the process.’

Last week the opponents withdrew their High Court action against the Secretary of State who had agreed with the Planning Inspector that 31 hectares of the 33-hectare site comprises relatively poor ecological quality sweet chestnut coppice planted in the 19th century, creating a ‘plantation on an ancient woodland site’.

Highlighting the company’s commitment to the environment, and in line with expert best practice and advice, Gallagher Group are required to carefully transfer the ‘ancient woodland’ soils as part of the restoration programme. There will also be a management programme covering the entire woodland on the Gallagher estate, to enhance its ecological value.