More drop-in sessions arranged for Local Plan consultations

Three more drop-in sessions are planned for August where residents can find out more about the draft Local Plan.

The Local Plan is an important planning policy that says what can be built and where and what should be protected up to 2035 and includes the Government’s requirement to provide new homes.

At the drop in sessions, residents can find out about proposals for new homes in their area, improved town centres and new facilities, including schools and medical centres.

The additional drop-in sessions are taking place at the following locations:
• Eynsford Village Hall (DA4 0AA) - Monday 13 August, 5pm to 8pm
• Halstead Pavilion (Recreation Ground, Station Road TN14 7DH) Monday 13 August, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Halstead Pavilion (Recreation Ground, Station Road TN14 7DH), Thursday 16 August, 10am to 2pm.

The other remaining drop-in sessions are taking place at these locations:
• Waitrose in Edenbridge (TN8 5LN) – Tuesday 14 August, 2pm to 8pm
• Swanley Link (BR8 7AE) – Wednesday 29 August, 2pm to 8pm
• Sevenoaks District Council (TN13 1HG) – Wednesday 5 September, 2pm to 8pm

Residents can also view the draft Local Plan, and use an interactive map to see what is proposed near them, by visiting www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/draftlocalplan.

Cllr Robert Piper, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, says: “The new Local Plan is really important - it gives us a once in a generation opportunity to improve retail and local infrastructure and provide new schools, medical facilities and much needed new homes for our children and grandchildren in the years to come.

“We’re keen to hear what everyone thinks – whether they support the proposals for new homes or if they have comments on the possible sites for new developments.

“I would urge residents to read the Plan and make their views known before the consultation closes on 10 September.”

Local Plan background

The Local Plan includes proposals to meet the Government requirement to provide nearly 14,000 homes between 2015 and 2035 to meet local need.

The Local Plan prioritises land that has already been built, but to meet the Government requirements, it includes some green-field sites in the Green Belt. Despite the pressure for new homes, the draft Local Plan proposes to protect more than 99% of the District’s Green Belt and the rural nature of the District.

The Council will publish a final version of the Plan later this year, taking account of the comments from the consultation. This version of the Local Plan will be submitted to the Government and considered by the Planning Inspector at a public examination in 2019 when there will be another opportunity for residents to raise further comments.

If approved by the Government, the Local Plan could be adopted and used by the Council later in 2019.