Covering the villages of Four Elms, Hever & Markbeech

Category: Four Elms (Page 1 of 14)

Have your say on the new Local Plan!

Public to have their say on the new Local Plan
Residents can soon comment on the new Local Plan when Sevenoaks District Council’s begins its public consultation from 23 October 2025.

The Local Plan will help shape development between 2027 and 2042. It also lists potential development sites, proposed by developers and landowners, to meet the Government’s increased housing targets for the District.

There are several ways the public can comment on the new Local Plan:

  • By taking part in a survey available online at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/emerginglocalplan. Consultation materials will also be available at local libraries, town and parish council offices and Sevenoaks District Council’s offices when the consultation opens.
  • By attending a ‘Pop-up’ session. Spaces at the ‘Pop-up’ sessions must be booked in advance as the venues have limited capacity.

Pop-up sessions can be booked now at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/emerginglocalplan or by calling the Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000.

One-hour long ‘Pop up’ sessions are available at 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm at the following locations:

  • Sevenoaks – Sevenoaks District Council offices – Wednesday 29 October 2025
  • Swanley– White Oak Leisure Centre (Sports Hall) – Wednesday 5 November 2025
  • Edenbridge – WI Hall – Monday 10 November 2025
  • West Kingsdown – Village Hall (Hall One) – Tuesday 11 November 2025
  • Eynsford – Eynsford Village Hall – Monday 17 November 2025
  • Chiddingstone – The Causeway Hall, Chiddingstone Causeway – Tuesday 18 November 2025
  • South Darenth – Jubilee Hall – Thursday 20 November 2025
  • Otford– Otford Village Memorial Hall (Players Hall) – 4pm to 8pm, Tuesday 25 November 2025
  • New Ash Green – New Ash Green Youth Centre (Main Hall) – 4pm to 8pm, Thursday 27 November 2025
  • Sevenoaks – Sevenoaks District Council offices – 4pm to 8pm, Monday 8 December 2025

The consultation is open for seven weeks from Thursday 23 October until midnight on Thursday 11 December 2025.

Cllr Nigel Williams, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Development & Infrastructure, says: “The Government has set us an extremely challenging housing target of 1,145 new homes every year up to 2042. We have no choice but to include adequate sites in our new Local Plan to meet this target.

“More than 500 sites were put forward by developers for inclusion in the Local Plan. After careful consideration, we have included only a fraction of these sites. They are in the most suitable locations, close to existing settlements and transport infrastructure, across a broad range of areas within the District.

“However, the new Local plan is not just about new housing. It includes proposals to support our local economy, new infrastructure, like schools, health centres, shops and transport, and protection for the natural and historic environment, including the majority of the Green Belt. It includes proposals for design excellence in new developments and promoting healthy communities.

“We really want to hear what residents have to say about our Local Plan. As well as our survey, we are running a record ten ‘pop-up’ sessions right across the District, making it easier than ever for residents to get involved.”

About the Sevenoaks District Local Plan

The new Local Plan, once finalised, will guide what can be built and where between 2027 and 2042

The Government has instructed Sevenoaks District Council to identify land for 1,145 new homes every year, a 63% increase on the current housing target.

While the new Local Plan proposes making the best use of sites within existing built-up areas and brownfield land, the Government amended planning laws require councils to use Green Belt land to meet its housing target.

Failing to meet the housing target could lead to the Local Plan being refused by Planning Inspectors. This would leave the District open to piecemeal development, which makes it harder for infrastructure providers to holistically consider the impact of new housing development on their services.

The Local Plan includes sites, spread across a broad range of settlements in the District, to meet the Government’s housing target in full, including much-needed affordable homes. All the sites that are under consideration have been put forward by landowners and developers. The Council has assessed the sites to check their suitability, availability and deliverability.

As well as new homes, the Local Plan includes proposals to support the economy by protecting business space and high streets and the provision of new infrastructure such as schools, shops, health centres and improved local transport.

Whilst it is challenging that land in the Green Belt is being considered to meet national housing targets, the Local Plan will do all it can to protect the overwhelming majority of the Green Belt and the District’s environment and unique and special character.

Family Fun Day – Monday 18th August 10.30 am

There will be a Family Fun Day on Monday 18th August 10.30 am – 1.30 pm on Four Elms Field.  Details are below:

Family Fun Days are back!  Our ever popular and FREE Family Fun Days return for four weeks of action-packed activities over the school summer holidays. As ever, they will include crafts, games, sports and more in a friendly and safe environment. There’s no need to book, simply turn up and have fun. However, children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Activities are
provided for children under the age of 12, but they may not be suitable for very young children.

Please bring waterproof clothing, sunscreen and your own refreshments.

We recommend that you check our website or our social media accounts before setting off as the schedule may change at short notice if there’s wet weather. For more information, visit
www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/familyfundays

The days are funded and organised by SDC, run by Play Place and supported by town and parish councils.

Oak tree opposite the Henry

We have been informed that unfortunately, the turkey oak tree opposite the Henry  has been diagnosed with a fungus called Artists Bracket.  This means that although it looks healthy, it is being hollowed out from the inside.  As a result, the tree will be felled today or tomorrow.

The tree sits on land owned by the Diocese of Rochester.  We hope that in the future another tree can be planted in its place.

Whilst the tree, and the land on which it is situated, is not owned by Hever Parish Council, we felt it appropriate to share this information.

Bulk Refuse Freighter – Saturday 19th July 2025

The Bulk Refuse Freighter will be in the area  on Saturday 19th July  for residents to use at the following times:

08:30 – 09:00 Four Elms Village Hall
12:15 – 12:45 Hever Bottle bank area behind Henry pub in coach car park
13:00 – 13:30 Markbeech Village Hall

The Freighter cannot accept white goods, washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, freezers, cookers, cast iron boilers or baths, long metal poles, building materials, manure, large parts of engines or vehicles or hazardous waste or compostable garden waste.

Hazardous waste now includes items like fluorescent tubes, televisions & computer monitors, batteries, oil tins and filters, paint and paint tins and chemical containers. These items cannot be accepted on the Saturday Freighter service and must be taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Please do not leave any rubbish unattended. Please DO NOT arrive early or leave items on site, otherwise will be classed as fly-tipping and information passed to the police, thank you.

This is a service free to residents, funded by Hever Parish Council and provided by Sevenoaks District Council.

Community Litter Picks and Bulk Refuse Freighter

Community Litter Picks have been arranged. Come and join in with your neighbours!  It is good fun, with free refreshments and great exercise. If possible, please bring own gloves and wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear.  Hi visibility vests and litter pickers can be provided, however if you have your own please do bring them.

Litter Pick details are as follows:

  • Hever Field – Saturday 22nd March 9.30 am
  • Markbeech Village Hall – Saturday 22nd March 1.00 pm
  • Four Elms Village Hall – Saturday 29th March 9.30 am

Any queries, please contact clerk@hever.org

We also have the bulk refuse freighter in the parish on Saturday 15th March at the following times:

  • 8.30- 9.00 – Four Elms Village Hall
  • 12:15 – 12.45 – Hever – Bottle Bank area behind Henry Pub
  • 1.00 – 1.30 – Markbeech Village Hall

Are you a pensioner ‘just missing out’ on the Winter Fuel Allowance because you aren’t entitled to Pension Credit ?

Are you a pensioner ‘just missing out’ on the Winter Fuel Allowance because you aren’t entitled to Pension Credit ?

KCC have a new Household Support Fund targeting pensioners who are not entitled to Pension Credit.  Are you aged 66 or over and have a total annual household income of less than £40,000 and savings of less than £1,000?

You could be entitled to a voucher worth £200 to help with energy and/or food costs.

Go to the KCC website to apply yourself: www.kent.gov.uk/householdsupportfund

Or contact your local Citizens Advice to make an appointment to check your eligibility and apply on your behalf.

Don’t forget that you can contact your local Citizens Advice in many different ways:

Call the free Adviceline on 0808 278 7962 (option 4) Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4pm
Call into one of our drop in sessions at the Eden Centre Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm
Email anytime at enquiries@edenbridgecab.cabnet.org.uk

 

« Older posts

© 2025 Hever.org

Theme by Anders NorénUp ↑