Minerals and Waste Planning Policy
1st Floor
Invicta House
Maidstone
ME14 1XX
By email to: mwlp@kent.gov.uk
Date: 09/08/2023
Dear sir or madam
Kent Minerals and Waste local Plan, and Kent Minerals Sites Plan; Regulation 18 Consultation Draft
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) places a legal duty on planning authorities to engage constructively, actively, and on an ongoing basis, to ensure the effectiveness of Local Plan preparation in relation to strategic issues. Effective and on-going joint working between strategic policy-making authorities is integral to the production of a positively prepared and justified strategy.
We note that the proposed Kent Minerals Sites Plan proposes an extension to Hermitage Quarry and that allocation extends the workings into the borough of Maidstone.
Maidstone Borough Council recognises the need to preserve and plan for mineral extraction, however it has concerns that the proposed allocation lies within an area designated as a Local Wildlife Site and Ancient Woodland, meaning that the workings could cause harm to biodiversity. MBC therefore requests that any permission be subject to conditions requiring the reinstatement of habitats following completion of extraction.
It is noted that the extended allocation also lies within close proximity to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and MBC requests that mitigations be put in place to prevent adverse impact on this designation.
These are the Council’s views but are subject to formal ratification and agreement following the Planning and Economic Development Policy Advisory Committee. I hope these comments are helpful and Maidstone Borough Council look forward to continuing, constructive dialogue on strategic issues as part of the duty to cooperate as our respective Local Plans progress.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Paul Cooper
Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development
Maidstone Borough Council, King Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ