Kentish ragstone hearing to begin


THEGallagher Group claims there isno viable alternative to the quarrying of ragstone fromOakenWood. A public inquiry into the company’s proposal to expand the existing Her- mitage Quarry into the wood, between Barming and East Malling, begins on November 27 for an estimated three weeks.


Gallagher chief executive Nick Yan-


dle says the only other quarry in Kent that produces ragstone is Blaise Farm, off the A228 near Kings Hill, but this is of a low quality because it contains a high percentage of hassock. The company argues current reserves at Hermitage Quarry will run


Ragstone has been used in the construction of the new Aldi supermarket inMaidstone


out by 2015while the extension would allow quarrying to continue for a further 25 years and protect the jobs of 300 people. Without the expansion, ragstone, which is used for construction in predominantly conservation and heritage areas,would have to be im- ported from elsewhere. Mr Yandle said: “Importing from elsewhere would look different to Kentish ragstone and would weather differently. It is not just used in conservation areas; for example, it is used in the new Aldi supermar-


Tonbridge and Malling Council leader Nick Heslop said: “We have now been able to review our management arrangements and are able to take this oppor- tunity to secure a high quality senior staff that is sufficiently robust to continue to deliver the high quality services ex- pected by our residents. It is also a cost-effective approach, deliv- ering savings of £125,000 year


on year.” He paid tribute to Mr Hughes as “a remarkable man, whose fine qualities and skills have been key to leading this council through the challenges it has faced in recent years”. “He will be much missed by councillors and officers alike but I wish him every success as he takes up his full time role in Gravesham.” Mr Hughes, who remains as joint chief executive of both


ket in Maidstone to complement the prison opposite.” The GallagherGroup submitted plans


to KCC in August 2010 for permission to extend the existing Hermitage Quarry into OakenWood. Despite 1,000 objec- tions over the loss of dense woodland, the application was granted, but the Woodland Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, and 6,500 supporters who wrote to Sec- retary of State Eric Pickles, succeeded in their request for the case to be called in for further consideration. Gallagher proposes to quarry the wood in 15 phases over 25 years, plant-


ing double the number of trees that are lost as the project progresses. The company will have to convince a planning inspector of the need for Kentish ragstone and lack of alternative sites before its mitigation measures are taken into account. WoodlandTrust case officer ChristinaByrne said: “If this application


is granted, it would be a catastrophic loss for nationally important wildlife. There can be no mitigation for the loss of ancient woodland – you cannot recreate it by soil or tree translocation or the planting of new trees.”


Chief executive’s cost-effective approach will ‘save £125K every year’ Continued from page one


councils until January 31, said it would be a wrench to leave Tonbridge and Malling after 32 years. However, he believed he was leaving in place “the best possible team to lead the coun- cil forward.” He said: “This has been a huge decision for me but I have reached it on the basis of the best interests of Tonbridge and Malling and Gravesham Bor- ough Councils and not simply


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Roasted Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup garnished with Parsnip Crisps Served with Crusty Bread


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