The consultation is now open on the Local Plan which will guide how new developments are delivered across Sevenoaks District between 2027 and 2042. It includes potential development sites, proposed by landowners, to meet the Government’s significantly increased local housing target of 17,175 new homes by 2042, an increase of 63% on the previous housing target.
As well as new homes, the Local Plan includes proposals to support the economy by protecting business space and high streets and providing new infrastructure like schools, shops, health centres and transport, and policies covering heritage, open spaces, biodiversity and health and well-being.
There are two sites proposed within Fawkham: Fawkham Business Park for 31 housing units, and Orchard Farm for 40 units. One of the proposed sites in Hartley is described as “land adjacent to Banckside and Downs Valley” where 114 houses are proposed. This land is also known as 40 acre field and is the last field on the right when heading towards Longfield past Steephill. This site is close to our Parish boundary and may be visible from the valley road. The map here shows the location of these sites and the others proposed by SDC: https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/downloads/file/4335/proposed_development_sites_map. As you will see, there are further sites proposed in the local area including in Hartley, Ash, New Ash Green, South Darenth and West Kingsdown. An interactive version of the map can be seen here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/fb489867168c4a98ba253fac472202f4.
Fawkham Parish Council will be hosting a drop in session at the Village Hall from 7-7:30pm on Thursday 6th November, ahead of our Parish Council meeting which starts at 7:30. If you would like to find out more, and share your views with the Parish Council so we can best represent you, please come along. We will be making a detailed response to SDC under this consultation, on both the Local Plan’s proposed policies and sites, and have engaged the planning consultant who helped us with the Neighbourhood Plan to support us with preparing this response. We will have further information on this, which you may find useful when making your own responses, at our session on 6th November.
SDC are also holding drop in sessions, at 4, 5.30 and 7pm, which include:
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West Kingsdown – Village Hall (Hall One) – Tuesday 11 November
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South Darenth – Jubilee Hall – Thursday 20 November
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New Ash Green – New Ash Green Youth Centre (Main Hall) – Thursday 27 November
These must be pre-booked. Full details and other venues can be found here: https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/info/20069128/emerging_local_plan/861/local_plan_consultation_october_to_december_2025
The Local Plan document can be found here: https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/downloads/file/4400/local_plan_regulation_18_consultation_version and there is a useful Q and A document here: https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/downloads/file/4331/local_plan_-_questions_and_answers
SDC’s public consultation runs from October 23rd to December 11th. To take part, complete the survey here: https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/info/20069128/emerging_local_plan/861/local_plan_consultation_october_to_december_2025.
You can also download a PDF version of the survey. Please return the completed survey by email to planning.policy@sevenoaks.gov.uk or by post to: Strategic Planning Team, Sevenoaks District Council, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1HG.
FPC suggests you attend our session and PC meeting on the 6th November, or one of SDC’s sessions, before making your response.