The Sevenoaks Council Development Management Committee met on 25 September 2025 to discuss several planning applications. The committee refused an outline application for 450 dwellings in Edenbridge due to its impact on the green belt and inefficient use of land. Permission was granted for the demolition of part of a building and erection of two houses in Hartley, and for the demolition of a garage and erection of a new dwelling in Leigh, while permission in principle was granted for a new dwelling in Halstead and for between five and nine dwellings in Farningham.

Land north of Town Station Cottages, Edenbridge

The committee refused planning permission for an outline application 24/02765/OUT for the erection of 450 dwellings, including affordable housing, land for a secondary school, a new venue for the Edenbridge Scout Group, a new youth centre, a new car park for Edenbridge Town Station, and associated infrastructure on land north of Town Station Cottages, Forge Croft, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 5LR.

The Chief Planning Officer's report 4.1 - 24-02765 -FORMATTED.pdf recommended refusal for the following reasons:

• The site lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt, and the development would result in significant harm to the openness of the Green Belt, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and local policies L01, L08, and SP1.
• The proposal fails to make efficient use of land, through the provision of a low density of just 29 dwellings per hectare, contrary to paragraphs 61, 129, and 130 of the NPPF.
• The proposal fails to make appropriate provision for affordable housing, education, and other infrastructure provision, contrary to policies SP3 and SP9 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy, as well as the requirements of the NPPF.

The report noted that the site was not considered to be grey belt¹ land and did not conform to paragraphs 156 and 157 of the NPPF. The Edenbridge Town Council supported the application but remained concerned about the limited timeframe for securing sites for community benefit, the impact on local infrastructure, and biodiversity net gain.

Active Travel England raised no objection subject to conditions, but stated that the applicant had not adopted a more ambitious and meaningful target for active travel². Network Rail noted the impact on Edenbridge rail station and the need for improvements around accessibility, as well as the proximity of Little Mowhurst Level Crossing.

KCC Highways stated that a financial contribution of £1,500,000 was required towards bus service enhancements, bus infrastructure, and/or bus journey time improvements.

SDC Planning Policy stated that more efficient use of land and optimised density was sought across the site.

SDC Urban Design Officer raised an objection, stating that the proposal did not meet the test of well-designed places as set out in the National Design Guide (NDG).

SDC Housing noted that the applicant classified their site as grey belt and offered 50% affordable housing.

SDC Tree officer raised no objection subject to conditions.

SDC Environmental Health raised no objections subject to conditions and a contribution to air quality monitoring.

Kent Wildlife Trust objected, stating that insufficient information had been provided to clearly establish that the proposed locations of road and footpath crossings over the onsite ditch are suitable.

Thelcot, Castle Hill, Hartley

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of part of the existing building and erection of two detached three-bedroom houses at Thelcot, Castle Hill, Hartley, Kent DA3 7BH, linked to planning in principle 24/00571/PIP. This was application 25/01887/PIPDET.

The application was referred to the committee by Councillor Penny Cole on the grounds that the proposals failed to comply with policies SP1, EN1, and T1 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy and Allocations and Development Management Plan, and with paragraph 116 of the NPPF.

Hartley Parish Council objected to the application, stating that the proposal would have undue prominence within the street scene and would be harmful to the semi-rural character of the locality.

KCC Ecology stated that a 10% biodiversity net gain³ was a statutory requirement of this proposed development. The Council's Tree Officer stated that a row of protected Sycamore trees and a Holm Oak tree are located beyond the northern boundary.

Lamberhurst Farm, Shoreham Lane, Halstead

The committee granted permission in principle for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of a detached dwelling with a minimum of 1 and maximum of 1 net dwellings at Lamberhurst Farm, Shoreham Lane, Halstead, Kent TN14 7BY. This was application 25/01832/PIP.

The application was referred to the committee by Councillor Grint due to risks of surface water flooding.

Halstead Parish Council objected to the application, stating that the location was unsuitable for a residential property and that building a residential property would be a permanent encroachment of the countryside.

The Forestry Commission stated that ancient woodlands, ancient trees, and veteran trees are irreplaceable habitats, and that the planning authority should consider the impacts of the development on ancient woodland.

Land North West of Charton Manor, Gorse Hill, Farningham

The committee granted permission in principle for the erection of dwellings with a minimum of 5 or a maximum of 9 net dwellings and associated ancillary works on land north west of Charton Manor, Gorse Hill, Farningham, Kent. This was application 25/02117/PIP.

The application was referred by Councillor White to the Development Management Committee on the grounds of failing to demonstrate local housing need or deliver affordable housing and harm to the Metropolitan Green Belt.

Farningham Parish Council objected to the scheme, stating that it was an unacceptable release of the Green Belt and had not abided by the golden rules⁴ and was speculative grey belt. Horton Kirby and South Darenth Parish Council objected to the scheme, citing proposed access concerns, an increase in vehicle movements, the impact of artificial lighting on protected species, and a lack of affordable housing proposed.

KCC Highways stated that the applicant was required to provide evidence of the availability of sufficient visibility splays for both vehicles and pedestrians.

KCC Archaeology stated that the proposed development site lies within an area of archaeological potential associated with Roman and Anglo-Saxon activity, and that archaeological assessment would be required.

4 The Green Lane, Leigh

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of an existing garage and erection of a new dwelling (Use Class C3⁵) with associated curtilage, landscaping, access, parking and other associated works at 4 The Green Lane, Leigh, Kent TN11 8QX. This was application 25/00621/FUL. The application was referred to the Development Management Committee as the red line included some land owned by Sevenoaks District Council.

Leigh Parish Council raised no objection.

Southern Water permitted the clearance of 1m either side of the gravity sewer, following the sewer diversion agreement under DSA000029927.

The Council's Tree Officer stated that those trees located on the rear boundary should be positioned a sufficient distance from the proposed development to be unaffected by it.