Quarry firm’s hoping to increase by the lorry load

Kent’s largest ragstone quarry has asked for permission to increase the number of lorries using Hermitage Lane.

Gallagher Aggregates Ltd, which operates the site west of Maidstone, also applied to vary planning conditions to allow loaded heavy goods vehicles to drive along the key road from 6.30am – half an hour earlier than the current permissions – and to relax restrictions at rush hour.

Members of Kent County Council’s (KCC) planning committee were due to vote on the application yesterday (Wednesday) despite concerns raised by campaigners.

The company, which recently applied for permission to increase the power of explosive blasts at Blaise Farm Quarry in Kings Hill, said the changes are needed because of a huge growth in demand for the one million tonnes of high grade and recycled aggregates it produces each year.

It says the extra demand has already forced it to exceed conditions which limit the number of lorries using Hermitage Lane to an average of 300 movements a day, with no more than 600 in one day.

The application is opposed by the New Allington Action Group (NAAG) which believe the numbers of HGV movements are not sustainable.

Members also argue not enough has been done to mitigate the impact on the road network and air quality, which according to data it gathered last year is so bad it could breach EU guidelines.

However, this analysis was carried out over a two-week period and Amey, KCC’s air quality advisor, agreed with the applicant that the additional vehicles would result in a negligible