Ancient Woodland Faces Threat of Destruction for Ragstone Quarry Expansion

As of November 16th, 2025, a 50-hectare ancient woodland known as Oaken Wood or Barming Woods, located on the outskirts of Maidstone in Kent, faces a significant threat of destruction. The local Kent County Council has identified the need to expand the nearby Hermitage Quarry to meet the county's demand for ragstone, a hard stone used in construction.

This proposed quarry expansion would result in the loss of a significant portion of the Oaken Wood, which has been used recreationally for decades, if not centuries, and hosts important populations of turtledoves and dormice. Campaigners warn that this would pose one of the greatest threats to the UK's ancient woodlands in the 21st century.

The UK is currently committed to increasing its tree cover, with the 2021 Environment Act specifying that 16.5% of land in England should be covered by trees and woodland by 2050. Additionally, the UK is a signatory to the Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt biodiversity loss and protect a minimum of 30% of land by 2030. However, the country remains one of the world's most nature-depleted, with just 2.5% of its land covered by ancient woodland, and 40% of its species in decline.

Opponents of the quarry expansion argue that the loss of Oaken Wood would destroy an "irreplaceable" ecosystem and reduce public access to nature, which is crucial for the well-being of local communities. Supporters of the quarry expansion, on the other hand, claim that the additional ragstone is essential to meet the county's demand for the hard stone.