06 January 2009Sevenoaks District Council, in association with the Kent Architecture Centre, has developed a set of concept designs to help guide the possible redevelopment of the western side of Blighs in Sevenoaks town.
The site considered for redevelopment stretches from the corner of Pembroke Road along the west side of the Blighs development up to 52 London Road (Woodland kitchens). It currently comprises of two car parks and 66 London Road, a 1960s office style building occupied by the Sevenoaks Club and the District Council.
Sevenoaks District Council, as the principal landowner, will be consulting with local people about its concept plans, during the autumn of 2008.
The Council intends to settle on a scheme that is acceptable to the local community and the main stakeholders. Given the complex nature of the site and the outcomes of the consultations, the outline concept is very likely to evolve as the scheme progresses.
Details of the latest position and consultation will be posted on this website (www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/blighs), in the local media and in the Council's residential magazine, In Shape.
The outline concept
At the moment the proposals consist of:
Click on the following link to view the Blighs concept plan (May 2008) (
PDF File 1037KB file details).
The next stages
The Council will be carrying out specific planning studies over the coming months followed by public consultation, during the autumn.
The consultation will include illustrative designs and a scale model of the proposed development. Residents will be encouraged to comment on the design.
A Master Plan for the development should be completed towards the end of the year.
Sevenoaks District Council's planning department would determine any planning applications lodged in connection with the redevelopment.
Subject to a satisfactory response to the planning proposal, the Council would look to work with the stakeholders and the private sector to take the development forward.
The recent history of Blighs
The redevelopment of the eastern side of Blighs began in the late 1990s with the first shops opening before Christmas 2000. The development consists of mostly retail units with some business space and residential homes. Commercially the first stage of Blighs has been a success with many well known high street retailers and local businesses taking space. See the Blighs Meadow website for more information.
Further information
Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet approved the Blighs design concept at its meeting on 15 May 2008. Click on the following link to view the Blighs Cabinet report in full.
