Always on
This project successfully funded on 1st November 2024, you can still support them with a donation.
Save Oaken Wood
Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom
First target reached!
We will be able to reach a larger audience and gain more support for the cause.
Aim
We are raising £11,000 to protect ancient woodland in Barming (Kent) against its destruction by a proposed quarry expansion
We need funds to cover legal and other costs to challenge KCC's decision. Without these funds we cannot fight this. Please help us save this wonderful and irreplaceable woodland.
The proposed expansion of Hermitage Quarry threatens 50 hectares of Oaken Wood. Along with the 32 hectares lost to a previous expansion in 2013, “The loss of ancient woodland ... could be greater than the losses from HS2 and the Lower Thames Crossing combined.” (The Woodland Trust).
The woodland is home to many legally protected species, including dormice, nightjar, turtle dove and viviparous lizard. It also holds Ancient Woodland (plantation on ancient woodland site) status, a category of irreplaceable ancient woodland protected in the governments national planning policy framework.
Kent County Council (KCC) is reviewing its plan for minerals and held a public consultation in summer 2023 that included Oaken Wood as the only site for ‘hard rock’ quarrying. Over 25,000 people responded to oppose the plans.
The huge outcry from the public put the ‘site plan’ on hold for 12 months while KCC conduct further “detailed technical assessment and evidence gathering” but they are now pushing this forward again.
To find out more visit friendsofoakenwood.org or join ’Save Oaken Wood’ on Facebook.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made