08 February 2012Local residents have the opportunity to comment on two important documents that set out how Sevenoaks District can continue to be protected, whilst providing new homes, over the next 16 years.
A District-wide consultation on the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, which sets out the District's planning policy up until 2026 and the Allocations Development Plan Document, will run from 11 February to 25 March.
In common with all areas, Sevenoaks District Council has to produce new planning policies, called a Local Development Framework or LDF for short, that will set out how the District can be developed. As part of the process, the District has been set a minimum housing target by Central Government of 3,300 new homes up to 2026, or 165 a year, the lowest housing target in Kent. This reflects the sensitive nature of the District particularly the Green Belt which limits the scope for development.
The Core Strategy proposes that the Green Belt will remain unchanged and will continue to be protected. All new homes required to meet the target will be built in the District's existing built up areas. Although the Core Strategy has a target of 3,300 homes, 692 homes have already been built and 1,366 already have planning permission. In effect 1,547 new homes will need to be built to achieve the target.
Provision of a greater share of social housing for those who cannot afford to buy or rent in the open market will be increased by making it a requirement for more new housing schemes to include social housing and shared ownership schemes and by allowing small-scale social housing on the edge of villages where there is evidence of local need.
The plan supports the local economy by preventing further loss of employment land and supporting redevelopment schemes to meet business needs. It also supports small-scale development of the rural economy.
In addition to the Core Strategy, residents will be asked for their views on the Allocations Development Plan Document, which sets out individual sites across the District that are recommended for development. Residents who live next to these sites are being written to by the Council to inform them of the consultation.
The Council is running five public exhibitions, where residents can find out more about the Core Strategy document and the Allocations Development Plan, on the following dates:
- Tuesday 23 February, 12.30pm to 4.30pm at The Alexander Suite, Swanley
- Wednesday 24 February, 9am to 5pm at The Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks
- Thursday 25 February, 1pm to 5pm at Rickards Hall, Edenbridge
- Monday 1 March, 12.30pm to 4.30pm at Westerham Parish Council Offices, Westerham
- Tuesday 2 March, 9.30am to 1pm at the Village Hall, Centre Road, New Ash Green
Cllr Jill Davison, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for Strategic Planning, says: "These important documents will help shape the future of the District. They meet the District's housing target while continuing to protect the Green Belt. We want our residents to be involved in this process and these exhibitions offer a great opportunity for local people to have their say and have their questions answered."
The Core Strategy covers a range of other issues, including design and conservation, sustainable development and climate change, infrastructure and open space.
The Government has also said that future developments should be sustainable in that they have access to good transport links and local facilities, so they should be situated within or close to existing urban areas.
Once the consultation has finished, the final Core Strategy will be sent to Central Government for approval by an independent inspector.
Both documents are available on the Council’s website www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/ldf. Alternatively they can be viewed at any of the District's libraries or at the Council Offices in Sevenoaks. Copies are also available to purchase at the Council Offices.
