Exciting plans for an important Swanley site

Published: Monday, 20th June 2022

Sevenoaks District Council has submitted exciting plans for new, environmentally-friendly homes, shops and a new public space at the entrance to Swanley.

The development at the former Working Men’s Club site and Bevan Place car park would follow the curve of the site. This would provide a welcoming new building and a new public space and gardens.

Protecting the environment and Net Zero carbon emissions are at the heart of the plans. The building would be highly insulated with energy efficient heating, electric vehicle charging points and cycle parking. The plans also include new trees and other green planting.

The site in Swanley High Street has had many historic uses. During the Victorian period, it was high-density housing. More recently, it was home to the Working Men’s Club and a small car park. After the Club closed, the Council purchased the site as part of its plans to improve the southern entrance to Swanley.

The development would consist of 93 new much-needed homes and retail space on the ground floor.

In November 2021, the Council asked for residents’ views on its initial ideas for the site. The Council revised its proposals to take into account local people’s comments.

Residents can view and comment on the plans at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/bevanplace.

The deadline to comment is 18 July 2022.

Cllr Peter Fleming, Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, says: “We are really excited to put forward plans to regenerate this important site. They include new homes, shops and best of all, a new green open space that the whole community can enjoy.

“The new development would be built to the highest environmental standards as part of our ambitions to make the District Net Zero by 2030."