Kent Mineral Sites Plan
Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2020
Our Mineral Sites Plan (PDF, 1.7 MB) allocates specific sites within Kent that are considered acceptable in principle for mineral extraction to ensure that Kent has sufficient permitted mineral reserves over the plan period. Prior to any development taking place, a planning application would also be required.
In September 2020, the Kent Mineral Sites Plan was adopted by the county council at Full Council committee.
You can read the inspector’s examination report and proposed plan modifications below:
- Regulation 25 Notice of inspector’s report (PDF, 133.2 KB)
- Regulation 26 Notice of Adoption (PDF, 183.1 KB)
- Planning Inspector's Report (PDF, 244.2 KB)
- Committee Report to Full Council 2020
- Proposed modifications to the Mineral Sites Plan (PDF, 187.0 KB).
Kent Mineral Sites Plan 2020 review
The adopted Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2024-2039 identifies a need for an additional site(s) for the working of hard rock, to ensure adequate mineral provision over this period.
A review of the Kent Mineral Sites Plan (2020) is therefore underway to consider allocation of a site for the extraction of hard rock.
Two ‘call for sites’ exercises were undertaken. This resulted in the nomination of land south and west of the existing Hermitage Quarry near Maidstone by the operator of the existing quarry.
In 2023, the county council published a draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan.
This draft plan also noted that, although the need for soft sand and sharp sand and gravel had been re-assessed for the extended plan period, this had not identified a need for further allocations for these aggregate minerals and so the existing adopted allocations would remain unchanged.
Following the consultation on the 2023 draft plan, the council undertook and commissioned more detailed assessment work concerning the nominated extension to Hermitage Quarry covering, amongst other things, ecology, landscape, health, air quality, carbon, alternative supplies and socio-economic effects.
The council will consider a Pre-Submission Draft Plan for publication and submission to the Secretary of State for examination by the end of 2026.