| 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:
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:
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. |
7pm Hever village hall. Housing proposal
Hever Parish Council would like to draw your attention to the very recent proposal for ~400 houses between Edenbridge and Hever. This proposal runs in parallel to the Draft Sevenoaks District Council Local Plan.
We have arranged for the proposer to come and present their plans, whilst at the same time an opportunity for residents to study the most recent SDC Local Plan consultation (Regulation 19). HPC have previously commented to support the Four Elms road site (HO223 for the new medical centre) and object to the proposals for the other sites (Breezehurst Farm MX10, Crouch House Road MX51, Romani Way MX44, Seven Acre Farm GT12).
The closing date for comments (on the SDC Local Plan and the new Hever proposal) is 11.59pm on Sunday 3 February 2019. We would encourage everyone to comment after studying the documents.
The relevant documents are available online www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/localplansubmission, to view at the Eden Centre or by prior arrangement from Hever Parish Council Clerk, or on the evening of the 24th January 7 – 9pm Hever Village Hall.
- Regulation 19 Proposed Submission Version Consultation December 2018
- Potential Strategic Development sites in the Green Belt Consultation
- Development in the Green Belt SPD Consultation
- Affordable Housing SPD Consultation
- Design Review Panel SPD Consultation
Comments on the consultation documents can be made as follows:
- Online at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/localplansubmission
- By email to planning.policy@sevenoaks.gov.uk; or
- By post to Planning Policy, Sevenoaks District Council, Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1HG.
Unfortunately comments that are submitted anonymously cannot be accepted and comments will be published and attributed by name/organisation only.
What happens next?
Subject to Sevenoaks District Council approval, the Local Plan will then be submitted to the Government for examination, along with all comments made on the document.
Please note that this Hever proposal is not a planning application and Hever Parish Council is not the planning authority (SDC is). The site is within Edenbridge Town Council area.
Hever Parish Council will continue to keep you updated – see www.hever.org (for more information & meeting dates)
Facebook – Heverparishcouncil