We’re working on a once in a generation opportunity to improve the Buckhurst Lane and Suffolk Way areas of Sevenoaks, helping to make the town a more exciting place to live, work and spend time.
Our initial ideas included a new energy efficient leisure facility, a combined library and learning hub and other environmental and cultural improvements, including a new link to Knole Park a new market hall and a hotel to support the local economy.
In 2024, we ran three information events and a survey to give the community the chance to have their say on our early ideas. The community were generally supportive of the proposals but raised concerns about rebuilding the library, car parking, accessibility, size and facility mix of the new leisure centre, impact from construction activities and traffic.
In July 2024, Council approved the proposed development approach, assembly of a project team and the procurement of a Development Partner. View the Council committee report and minutes for 25 July 2024.
Following Council’s decision in July 2024, Kent County Council decided its well-used library would no longer form part of the project. However, the library would remain in its existing form in the town centre.
Taking this and resident and stakeholder comments into account, we proposed a revised concept scheme.
The project is currently estimated to cost around £120 million. It is expected to be self-financing with income from the new homes paying towards the new leisure centre and other improvements.
In April 2025, the revised concept scheme was presented to Council, who agreed to go out to tender to appoint a development partner. View the Council committee report and minutes for 29 April 2025.
On 16 December 2025, the bidders presented their final tenders to a cross-party group of Councillors before a preferred partner was identified.
Next steps
We are now in the final stage of the procurement process with the preferred tenderer. Subject to Council approval, we intend to appoint the development partner in spring 2026.
The development partner would work on detailed designs later in 2026, including further public and stakeholder engagement, before submitting a planning application.