We are aware of several Green Belt sites that are being offered for sale as individual plots with the potential for housing. To continue to protect these sites, we have served Article 4 Directions that restrict activities that can be carried out without planning permission. This includes putting up walls, fences and gates, temporary uses and buildings and using the land as caravan sites.
Over the last year we have introduced Article 4 Directions on sites in Cowden, Edenbridge, Hever, Penshurst, Sevenoaks and West Kingsdown.
We are also aware of plots of land just north of the Pilgrims Way, Kemsing being offered for sale. Article 4 Directions were placed upon this land in 1976.
In some cases, we understand the marketing materials claim these sites are not in the Green Belt and do not mention the Article 4 Directions. We have passed any information relating to this to Trading Standards to investigate.
Nationally, Green Belt sites are protected to prevent urban development by keeping the land permanently open. Because of this, they are extremely unlikely to get planning permission to be developed.
If you are considering buying land for development, we recommend you check if the land is in the Green Belt or covered by other constraints - you can do this by viewing our interactive planning map, or by using our Pre-Application Planning Advice service.