A quarry operator is seeking to increase the number of HGV movements permitted each day at its mining site.

Gallagher Aggregates Ltd has applied to Kent County Council for permission to raise the limit on the average daily number of lorry movements entering and leaving Hermitage Quarry near Maidstone from 600 to 800.

A strict limit on the number of movements on any single day would be kept at 900.

If this application to vary the conditions of an earlier planning approval are agreed, there would also be an increase in the number of lorries moving at the quarry in the peak morning hours between 6.30am and 9.30am.

Currently a combined total of 150 movements are permitted in this window of time, with those to be spread out across the three hours.

The application lodged on December 21 seeks to increase this to 250.

It would also remove the condition that only pre-loaded HGVs can leave the Hermitage Lane site between 6.30am and 7am, as well as lifting a restriction on the number of trucks allowed to enter and leave the site between 4pm and 6pm.

Beside the amended number movements and times, no other changes would be made to the wider mining operation at the quarry.

Gallagher Aggregates Ltd says the proposed changes to the planning conditions are intended to regularise HGV movements that have already been taking place at the site to meet market demand for rock and aggregate materials.

Residents wishing to comment on the application have until February 4 to submit their views to the planning authority.

Details of planning applications from across the county can be found in our Public Notices section in print or online, along with a host of other announcements ranging from alcohol licence requests to road closures; probate to public rights of way.

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