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 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.

Notes to editors

After this consultation closes, and the Council has considered the comments, it will publish a revised version of the Local Plan, which will be published in summer 2026. This is called the Regulation 19 publication.

By the end of 2026, the Council intends to submit the Local Plan for examination by the Planning Inspectorate. This submission will include all the comments made during the Regulation 19 publication.

The timetable for the examination, which will include public hearings, will be set by the Planning Inspectorate. The examination is expected to take place in 2027.

If the Planning Inspector concludes the Local Plan is sound, the Council will adopt it, and it will be used to help determine planning applications.

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