 The planning committee of Kent County Council granted permission for quarrying in part of the woodland, but the decision was referred to the Secretary of State.Planning committee chairman Richard King said that "local residents and environmental groups have argued that the loss of irreplaceable ancient woodland and impact on the local wildlife site is unacceptable.On balance, however, members felt the job prospects and the economic need for ragstone to support construction in the county in future, and benefits of the project outweighed these objections."