Two MPs have joined forces to criticise proposals which would extend a ragstone quarry at the expense of ancient woodland.

Maidstone and The Weald MP Helen Grant MP and Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch are opposed to an expanson of the Gallagher’s Hermitage Quarry at Barming.

The pair have penned a joint letter to Kent County Council opposing the authority’s plans to include in its draft Waste and Minerals plan a large scale extension of the site into Oaken Wood.

The MPs say they are “unconvinced” of the technical evidence that the site would make a significant difference to the shortfall in hard rock production and are “fundamentally concerned” about the impact on the ancient woodland.

Mrs Grant said: “One of my enduring pledges since I was first elected as MP in 2010 has been to protect the environment and our precious green spaces from inappropriate development.

“On that, I remain as steadfast today as ever.

“KCC’s call to extend the quarry at Hermitage Lane will inevitably cause irreparable damage to the ancient subsoil of Oaken Wood.”

“I acknowledge that there are competing factors surrounding this issue, not least the effect on local jobs, and the additional carbon emissions that will arise from importing alternative products, but I am unconvinced, that the benefit of extending the future supply of Kent ragstone from this location wins the day, and that is why I am opposing the extension.

Ms Crouch said: “I regularly enjoy the benefits of Oaken Wood, walking and cycling on the public footpaths through the site.

“At a time when we are trying to protect our environment for future generations, it seems mad to lose such a wonderful means of climate control, especially when we are seeing all our green spaces concreted over with houses.

“I really need to see proper evidence that the benefits of quarrying Oaken Wood outweigh the destruction of the environment before I can support the site being in the council’s long-term plan.”

The MPs’ comments have been welcomed by Stuart Jeffery and Rachel Rodwell, who have been leading the local campaign against the quarry extension.

Mr Jeffery, the leader of the Green Party group on Maidstone council. said: “We very much welcome their support.

“Clearly this is going to become an election issue at some point and it’s good to know that we are united in our view on this.”

The Gallagher company strongly refutes suggestions that the ancient woodland will be destroyed and says criticism fails to take account of its “carbon positive” efforts and plans.

The company says it will carefully remove the woodland topsoil, then, after quarrying has taken place and the void has been filled in, it will return the ancient woodland soil and replant with new trees.