The Growth, Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee met on Tuesday 7 July 2026, discussing a range of topics including progress on broadband and mobile connectivity, the visitor economy, and the updated Kent Mineral Sites Plan. Key decisions included the continuation of the in-house delivery model for Visit Kent and Invest Kent services, and the noting of the updated Kent Mineral Sites Plan, which proposes an allocation for hard rock extraction at Hermitage Quarry.

Broadband and Mobile Connectivity

Councillor David Wimble, Cabinet Member for Economic Developments and Special Projects, provided an update on broadband and mobile connectivity. He highlighted that around one in four properties in Kent still cannot access gigabit broadband, and commercial coverage is even lower. The council has written to the telecoms minister expressing concerns over delays to Project Gigabit and pressing for urgent action. A breakthrough has been secured at Kings Hill, where work can now move forward on a new mobile mast thanks to partnerships with Icon Tower. Councillor Wimble also thanked Liz, an officer on the project, and Sarah Hudson for their work on this issue.

Visitor Economy and Inward Investment

Councillor Wimble also presented a report on the continuation of the visitor economy and inward investment service for Kent and Medway, delivered through the Growing Kent team. He stated that these services play a vital role in attracting visitors, businesses, and investment to Kent and Medway, supporting economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening the local economy. The visitor economy alone is worth around £4.1 billion a year, supporting over 82,000 jobs. Despite operating with a significantly reduced team compared to previous arrangements, the service has exceeded expectations. Councillor Wimble commended the report and asked members to support the continuation of the in-house model.

Updated Kent Mineral Sites Plan

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the updated Kent Mineral Sites Plan, a technical report detailing progress on updating the plan and seeking comments on the pre-submission draft. Councillor Wimble introduced the report, acknowledging its contentious nature and the volume of correspondence received both for and against it. He stressed that minerals planning underpins essential infrastructure and that Kent County Council has a statutory duty to ensure a steady and sustainable supply of minerals.

The report proposes retaining existing allocations for soft sand and sharp sand and gravel, but introduces a new allocation for hard rock – an extension to the existing Hermitage Quarry. This extension is proposed to address a shortfall in hard rock supply, particularly for Kentish ragstone, which is vital for heritage purposes. The site has undergone detailed technical assessment, considering competing national policy considerations, particularly the need for minerals versus the impact on ancient woodland.

Significant public interest was noted, with objections primarily relating to the loss of Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), which are considered irreplaceable habitats. The report outlines that the allocation would need to satisfy the National Planning Policy Framework's test of wholly exceptional reasons and have a suitable compensation strategy. The proposed compensation strategy includes translocation of soils, woodland replanting, and ecological enhancements, aiming for a 266% increase in native mixed species woodlands.

Councillor Mark Hood (Leader of the Green Group) proposed an amendment to remove the Oak and Wood site from the Minerals and Waste Local Plan, citing environmental damage to ancient woodland as outweighing exceptional circumstances. This proposal was put to a vote and was unsuccessful. The committee ultimately noted the report, with objections and comments to be recorded.

Procurement and Award of Contracts for Soft Landscape Urban Grass, Shrubs & Hedges

Councillor Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, presented a report seeking support for new contracts for maintaining urban grass, shrubs, and hedges on highways. The current contract ends in February 2027 and cannot be extended further. The recommendation is to keep the two contract areas, east and west, with an initial term of five years and an option to extend for up to three more. The contract will be advertised at £22.5 million. Councillor Osborne noted that clauses around Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) have been incorporated into the contract to allow for flexibility. Councillor Mary Lawes raised concerns about the current service standards, citing issues with grass cutting frequency, shrub maintenance, and hedge maintenance. Robin Hadley, representing the service, assured that service standards and performance measures would be contained within the contract documentation.

Dover Border Access Improvement Project (DBAIP)

Councillor Osborne also presented a report on the Dover Border Access Improvement Project, a £20 million government grant from the Levelling Up Fund. The project aims to improve outbound border controls at the Port of Dover to increase capacity and efficiency, thereby reducing the need for traffic management measures like Dover TAP and Operation Brock. Councillor Paul questioned the capacity increase, and Councillor Lawes expressed concern that 200 extra HGV spaces would not be enough to prevent gridlock. Joe Ratcliffe, Transport Strategy Manager, clarified that the project aims to reduce the need for traffic management due to operational deficiencies at the port, but would not eliminate it entirely due to external factors. Councillor Prater sought clarification on the scale of reduction in TAP and Brock usage, with an estimated 80% reduction in TAP and Brock due to overcapacity. Councillor Ford, a freight forwarder, provided insights into the complexities of border controls and system delays. Councillor Oberfull declared an interest and abstained from voting. The committee endorsed the proposed decision.

Work Programme

The committee noted the work programme for future meetings.