More drop-in sessions arranged for Sevenoaks residents to study draft Local Plan which will eventually decide where new homes will be built in the future

MORE drop-in sessions are being held during August for residents living in the Sevenoaks district to find out more about the draft Local Plan.

The Local Plan is an important planning policy that says what can be built, where and what should be protected up to 2035 and includes the Government’s need to build 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.

An additional drop-in session has already taken place in Eynsford and there is another one at Halstead Pavilion (Recreation Ground, Station Road TN14 7DH) on 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 a 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, said: “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 providing 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. The draft Local Plan however proposes to protect 99% of the district’s Green Belt.

The Council will publish a final version of the Plan later this year. 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 residents can raise further comments.

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