Otford Chalk Pit reopens

Published: Monday, 12th May 2025

The former Chalk Pit, an open public space in Otford, has reopened following the Council's actions to ensure the site is safe again.

In recent years, sink holes have appeared at the Chalk Pit and in September 2023, Sevenoaks District Council partially closed the area as a precaution.

In June 2024 a survey indicated there may have been underground cavities throughout the site, posing a danger to life. The site was closed until it could be further investigated and made safe.

Over the past year, the Council commissioned ground-penetrating radar surveys of the entire site to establish the causes and the extent of the subsidence.

The surveys found there were a number of small sink holes, but confirmed the majority of the site was safe.

The Council has now put up permanent fencing around the areas with sink holes along with new signs advising the public to stay on the paths. 

Cllr Irene Roy, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Cleaner and Greener, says: “I want to thank local people for their patience while we investigated the extent of the sink holes in the Chalk Pit.

“The decision to close the site was not taken lightly. However the safety of our residents is our number one priority.

“We are excited to be fully opening the Chalk Pit once again, but we would urge people not to attempt to get into the fenced off areas for their own safety.

“The Chalk Pit is a much-cherished open space and, as previously confirmed, it will remain a designated open green space in our 2040 Local Plan.”

Further information, including the survey reports, can be viewed at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/otfordchalkpit.

The former Chalk Pit has an extensive industrial history having been mined for chalk during the Victorian period then used as a landfill site.

For many years, the site has been used as a public open space and was managed by Otford Parish Council until 2021. The Parish Council ended its long-term lease due to the mounting health and safety and maintenance costs from both sink holes and Ash Dieback. Sevenoaks District Council took responsibility for the site.