Published: Tuesday, 23rd June 2026
Sevenoaks District Councillors will soon consider an revised version of the Local Plan with changes to some proposed development sites following Government updates to national planning policy.
Last year, Sevenoaks District Council sought views on its draft Local Plan to meet the Government's revised housing target of 17,460 houses to be built over the next 15 years, a 63% increase on the current target. The plan had to take account of the Government’s removal of many Green Belt protections.
More than 28,000 comments were received from more than 5,000 residents and organisations.
Following consideration of the comments, the Council has updated the Local Plan.
Some sites originally proposed for development have been removed. The reasons include the sites are no longer considered suitable, or the landowners have withdrawn them.
A proposal for a new stadium, put forward by Wasps Rugby Club, has also been removed. The Council received insufficient information about the suitability of the scheme, in particular how critical infrastructure in the local area could be addressed. Therefore, the proposal was not included due to a lack of evidence
A small number of new sites have now been added to the Local Plan. This follows further land being made available and recent Government changes to national policy direction to support new developments close to existing transport links, such as rail stations.
The sites which have been added to the Local Plan are:
- Land north of Glyn Davies Close, Dunton Green – 10 additional homes
- Broke Hill Golf Course near Knockholt – 810 homes.
- 160 London Road, Sevenoaks (conversion of the One 60 building) – 300 homes
- Brittains Lane, Sevenoaks – 228 homes
- Goss Hill Lodge, Clement Street, Hextable – 20 gypsy & traveller pitches
- Land west of Old Otford Road - 12,000 sqm of new employment space
The owners of Broke Hill Golf Course have lodged a planning application for the site, which is currently under consideration. A similar application had previously been refused by the District Council. As a result, the site is being considered in a ‘pending’ category subject to the outcome of the planning application.
The Council’s Development and Infrastructure Advisory Committee will consider the updated Local Plan on 30 June 2026 followed by Cabinet on 7 July 2026.
Subject to Cabinet approval, residents can have a final say on the Local Plan from 23 July to 17 September 2026. This engagement period is formally known as the ‘Regulation 19 Publication’.
At this stage, the public cannot suggest new development options. Instead, their comments must focus on whether the new Local Plan is compliant with the relevant legislation and if it is ‘sound’, in other words based on evidence, meets future need, is deliverable and promotes sustainable development.
Cllr Nigel Williams, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Development and Infrastructure, says: “During the time we produced a new Local Plan and sought residents’ views, the Government has moved the goalposts again.
“Their latest changes to the draft National Planning Policy Framework mean that sites put forward by landowners, which are close to existing transport links, are now more likely to be included in the Local Plan.
“This comes on the back of Government changes last year to recategorize large swathes of Green Belt as Grey Belt to promote development.
“However, we have no choice but to produce a new Local Plan to meet the Government’s housing target. Failing to do so could lead to the Local Plan being refused by the Planning Inspector followed by Government intervention.
“The District would then be open to piecemeal development, making it hard for public services, like the NHS and transport bodies, to provide new infrastructure needed to support the new housing.
“There’s also a greater risk of unauthorised encampments, speculative housing development and planning by appeal. This is not a position we want to be in.”
The updated Local Plan, and supporting information that will be considered by Councillors, can be viewed at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/reg19
Once the Regulation 19 Publication has closed, the revised Local Plan, along with the comments, will be submitted to Government later this year.
A Government appointed Planning Inspector will examine the Local Plan in 2027 when the public comments will be considered. The Planning Inspector can potentially amend the Local Plan.
If approved by the Planning Inspector, the new Local Plan will be used to help decide planning applications from 2028.
Notes to editors
The Local Plan will guide what can be built and where between 2027 and 2042. It includes sites, put forward by landowners and developers.
In December 2024, the Government made significant changes to Green Belt protections – creating a new definition of ‘Grey Belt’, which removed many of the longstanding Green Belt protections held in place for decades.
‘Grey Belt’ is not just previously developed land, but can be open fields, wooded areas and open countryside. This has had a significant impact on the suitability of many previous Green Belt sites for development, and the Council must consider those sites in compliance with the new national planning laws.
In addition, the Government also increased Sevenoaks District Council’s mandatory housing targets by 63% - meaning 17,460 houses must be built over the next 15 years. The target – which is more than double the size of Swanley, the District’s second largest town, highlights the scale of housing that the Government expects.
While the Local Plan will utilise already existing built-up areas and brownfield land, the Government’s amended planning laws require the Council to consider Green Belt land to meet its housing target. However, the Local Plan will continue to protect 98% of the Green Belt and the District’s natural environment and unique and historic character.
The Local Plan also includes proposals to support the economy. It also includes an Infrastructure Delivery Plan for new schools, shops, health centres and improved public transport to support the new housing. Without an Infrastructure Delivery Plan, these new facilities are unlikely to be provided.
Failure to meet the housing target has significant consequences, including the removal of the District Council to determine local planning applications, which instead will be taken over by central Government.
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