Activists in Maidstone calling for 'ancient' trees to be protected.
Oaken Wood is used by runners, dogwalkers and families, but may be replaced by a quarry.
Protestors fearful of losing a large ancient woodland to a quarry expansion have delivered a bundle of letters to Kent County Council.
They are hoping that KCC can be persuaded to preserve the 50 hectares at risk at Oaken Wood at Barming, near Maidstone.
Save Oaken Wood activists handed in 100 letters to local Green Party county councillor and organisation chair Stuart Jeffery earlier this month, ahead of a decision by the authority possibly in the summer.
Cllr Jeffery told us:
"My concern is the the loss of the woodland which is as I say an ancient woodland site. It's biodiversity it's full of carbon um and nature is under threat and struggling like never before.
"So losing that amount of nature...just feels fundamentally wrong in a time of ecological crisis. Why are we why are we destroying woods to create roads?"
He also added that the area was frequently used both by the group itself on their woodland walks, joggers, neighbouring families and dogwalkers, who would suffer for the loss of the area.
KCC has been reviewing its Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which is the strategy for mineral and waste planning from 2030 to 2039 and the application by Gallagher Aggregates Ltd could be part of it.
Sean Connor, Managing director of Gallaghers Aggregates Ltd, said: “We are respondingto the plan review and await the the results of Kent County Council’s technical assessment.”
Kent Wildlife Trust, which has opposed the quarry expansion, said that the UK now has only 13% tree cover and is one of the most “nature-depleted” countries in the world.
KWT said: “In 2013, the expansion of the quarry was permitted which resulted in the loss of approximately 32 hectares of ancient woodland.
“Since then, the policy position and priorities of the UK government have changed dramatically and there is now a greater focus on the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
“It is also now widely recognised that the UK is rated as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and that biodiversity is in significant trouble with 40% of species in decline.
“Tree cover in the UK is down to just 13% and what remains is at threat despite the important role trees and woodland play in storing carbon and providing essential habitats.”
A Kent County Council (KCC) statement said: “Land at Oaken Wood has been nominated for consideration in the Kent Mineral Sites Plan review. Part of the site is designated as ancient woodland soils.
“The site is primarily a chestnut coppice and, importantly, does not contain ancient woodland trees. It is currently undergoing technical assessment, and no decision has been made whether to allocate the site. Should the site be allocated, planning permission would also be required. The Council is anticipating considering the matter later this year.
‘If the site is considered suitable for allocation, it would be subject to strict national and local planning policies that provide strong protection for ancient woodland.
‘KCC is committed to engaging transparently with the public and stakeholders throughout this process. Our priority is to balance the county’s long-term need for construction materials with the protection of the environment and local communities, in accordance with planning policy and legislation.”