Sevenoaks Town Council’s NDP December 2021 Final Draft published with Progress Update

Sevenoaks Town Council’s (STC) emerging Neighbourhood Development Plan (Final December 2021 Draft) is in the process of having a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) completed by AECOM, prior to its submission stage. In order to minimise any delays to the plan’s submission to Sevenoaks District Council, STC have been working closely with AECOM to make edits to the Neighbourhood Development Plan throughout this process, as opposed to waiting for the Report to be finalised.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment has made the following progress:

• 2nd November: The Scoping Report for the SEA, which proposes objectives and assessment questions to be included in the final document, came back from Statutory Consultees.
• 15th November: AECOM produced a high level appraisal of the NDP’s policies, to be included within the SEA Environmental Report. This found that the NDP policies and aims perform favourably in sustainability terms, and also suggested edits, which have been incorporated in the final draft. All edits that have been made to the NDP are outlined below and the updated, final draft version of the NDP December 2021 is available to view and download here.
• To date: AECOM continue to progress with the SEA Environmental Report with the hopes of it going to Statutory Consultees in December 2021. On receipt of the Statutory Consultee responses, a Town Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee will be arranged to discuss the feedback received, as well as next steps. This meeting will be open to the public and announced in due course.

Outline of changes made to the NDP Final Draft December 2021):

• Page 11 – Policy L2 text revised to add note re drainage infrastructure
• Page 15 – Policy D1 text amended to make clear that sites are not allocated
• Page 21 – Addition of text re SEA
• Page 40 – Additional notes added re heritage impact assessments and archaeological evaluations (supporting text to Policy C1)
• Page 48 – Reference to the use of biodiversity metric tools to calculate biodiversity net gain. (supporting text to Policy L1)
• Page 49 – Policy L2 text revised to add note re drainage infrastructure
• Page 68 – Policy D1 reworded to make it clear that sites are not allocated.
• Pages 70-76 – Development quantums removed from all site guidance and redlines removed from figures
• Page 79 – Development quantums removed from guidance  on Tarmac site and redline removed from figure
• Page 81 – additional notes on sourcing of local materials and on retrofitting properties added (supporting text to Policy D6)

Any questions regarding the above information may be forwarded to Georgie Elliston, Planning Committee Clerk at planning@sevenoakstown.gov.uk.

Sevenoaks Town Council Neighbourhood Development Plan’s Vision

The main goal of the Sevenoaks Town Neighbourhood Plan is to set out objectives that will aid the fulfilment of the below vision of what Sevenoaks Town will look like in 2038. It takes into consideration the health and wellbeing of residents living within the Neighbourhood Development Plan area as well as the the nationally declared climate emergency. The Neighbourhood Plan draws upon the town’s existing strengths, reflects the positive qualities identified by the local community and identities a number of challenges and opportunities.

A Vision of Sevenoaks in 2038

‘Sevenoaks will continue to be a successful and friendly market town set on the Greensand Ridge that takes advantage of its good connections and easy access to open countryside and to London. It will continue to have a strong sense of community with an active network of volunteers. The town will be proud of its history and the legacy of fine historic buildings, spanning six centuries, that contribute to an attractive townscape in its leafy streets.

However, Sevenoaks will not be stuck in the past but firmly wedded to the future and the quality of life of its children and their children to come. As one of the UK’s first carbon zero towns, Sevenoaks will be environmentally responsible and resource-efficient. Despite its undulating topography, walking and cycling will be the standard mode of travel with a network of safe walking and cycling routes that provide access to the towns excellent schools and to recreational and employment opportunities. New buildings in Sevenoaks will be built to the highest environmental standards and the town will celebrate its connection with the surrounding landscape that the views to the Kent Downs provide.

The town centre will continue to provide a good mix of shops, including many independent traders, and provide a rich cultural offer within an emerging cultural quarter and thriving markets. The centre will be easy to access and provides attractive streets and spaces for locals and visitors alike. Residents will live in a variety of homes set within well-kept neighbourhoods and also benefit from convenient neighbourhood centres at St John’s, Tubs Hill and Hollybush Lane.

Knole Park, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Greatness Lake and Recreation Ground will provide a unique and rich natural environment for both active sports and quiet contemplation, and the town is proud of its remarkable trees.

The town will be protective of its landscape assets but also recognises the need to plan for and deliver new homes and community facilities to provide for future generations. Sevenoaks will celebrate its uniqueness, protects its special assets and plan for future prosperity!’

The objectives of Sevenoaks Neighbourhood Development build the potential to:

• Respond positively to climate change and encourage a more sustainable approach to both land use and lifestyle choices;
• Enhance and preserve the town’s heritage assets and special open spaces
• Enhance the arrival experience into the town to create a more welcoming impression;
• Enhance the town’s network of roads, footpaths and cycling routes to improve connections and create a safer and more attractive environment for users;
• Improve access to, and better connect, the town’s open spaces;
• Regenerate and revitalise the Northern Sevenoaks area around Bat and Ball station;
• Deliver a sustainable expansion at Greatness, on land currently being worked to extract sand by Tarmac Ltd. (subject to release from the Green Belt) in order to deliver new homes to meet local needs;
• Unlock new opportunities for leisure, recreation and community infrastructure – including a new watersports lake as part of this development;
• Grow the town’s economy and support the creation of new jobs;
• Deliver new community assets including a new Community Centre at Bat and Ball and new health and education provision;
• Deliver enhanced recreational and sports facilities and education provision; and
• Enhance the town’s thriving cultural scene.

The final draft for the Sevenoaks Neighbourhood Development Plan has been completed and was posted on the Sevenoaks Town Neighbourhood Plan website on 12^th April 2021, available to view via this link.

Once the Neighbourhood Plan draft has been signed off by the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, it will be submitted formally to Sevenoaks District Council, with the Basic Conditions Statement and Consultation Statement. They will then organise the six week publication, examination, and referendum.

News and updates on the Neighbourhood Development Plan can be found via the following link: News – Sevenoaks Town Neighbourhood Plan (wordpress.com)

If you have any queries, please contact:

Georgie Elliston

planning@sevenoakstown.gov.uk

10^th May 2021

Sevenoaks Town Council Revised Neighbourhood Development Plan Timetable

The following is the revised Sevenoaks Neighbourhood Development Plan Timetable as of March 2021.