In their submission to KCC’s Minerals and Waste consultation, Maidstone Greens have expressed further concerns about KCC’s failure to understand the climate emergency. The Greens have called the draft plan a charter for environmental destruction. The draft KCC strategy supports exploration for fossil fuels in Kent and has implicit support for the destruction of the ancient woodland in Barming.
Green campaigner Keira Stuart Smith says, “This is a charter for environmental destruction. Kent County Council claim that they recognise that there is a climate and biodiversity emergency but their proposed minerals and waste plan says otherwise.
“We have to stop looking for more fossil fuel sources. There is too much carbon dioxide in our air right now and burning the current reserves will be disastrous. We mustn’t increase greenhouse gases any further.”
Green campaigner Allison Sweetman said, “The draft plan gives implicit support to damaging quarrying, in particular extending Hermitage Quarry across 50 hectares of ancient woodland in Barming. Ancient woodland must be protected and KCC are failing to do this.”
Photo of Allison and Keira leading a residents’ walk to the woods.
