Residents are being urged to share their views on proposals to dig out land in Brambledown for use as a landfill for toxic ash.

Kent County Council (KCC) is considering two extensions to the east and north of the existing Norwood Quarry site, off Lower Road, Brambledown.

Members of the public have until Monday (July 23) to comment on the Mineral Sites Preferred Options Consultation.

The site was made into a dump for an energy-from-waste incinerator in Allington, near Maidstone, in 2005.

The work would take place over two stages, beginning with the excavation of clay, which would then be sold for use in the construction industry. The space would then be filled with the incinerator waste.

Sheppey environmentalist John Stanford called the landfill a "printing press for money" for the council and raised some concerns about potentially adverse effects to the surrounding agricultural land.

The Minster Parish councillor said: "I think the National Farmers’ Union would share our concern about the loss of any agricultural land, especially at this time."

The Brambledown freeholder also raised concerns about the visual impact on the landscape and pollution from lorries going to and from the site.

He added: "At a the planning meeting at Thistle Hill Community Centre [on June 15] only two people turned up during that, which demonstrated to me it was not advertised sufficiently to constitute a public consultation."

There are a large number of UK protected species of flower in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) close to Norwood Quarry, which could be also be affected.

Mr Stanford urged people to have a look at the plans on the website and make their feelings known.

Minster Parish Council will decide on its response to the proposals at a meeting at Friendship House, in Love Lane, Minster, tomorrow (Thursday) at 7.30pm.

On KCC’s Mineral Sites Plan webpage, the sustainability appraisal concludes: "This is a greenfield site but there is a need for the clay and hazardous landfill is the method of restoration."