Local Plan - Key dates confirmed
Sevenoaks District Council has confirmed the timetable for the next stages of its controversial Local Plan, with an analysis of the recent public consultation due to be published in March.
The Council closed its seven-week consultation on the Local Plan 2042 on December 11.Around 5,000 people and organisations took part. The Plan proposes sites for 17,175 new homes up to 2042, including major developments on Green Belt land.
The Council’s Development & Infrastructure Advisory Committee (DIAC) will be briefed on the results of the consultation at its meeting on March 5th. The Committee is only ‘advisory’, and the Council’s leadership does not have to take account of its views.
The Regulation 19 version of the plan—the final draft before submission to government—will then go before DIAC on June 30th and to the all-Conservative Cabinet on July 7th for its decision.
Following Cabinet approval, the Plan will be open for comment once more for a minimum of six weeks between July and September, though exact dates are yet to be confirmed. During this period, the public can submit views on the "soundness" of the plan. All these representations will be forwarded to the Planning Inspector with the Council’s proposals.
DIAC will receive an update on the Regulation 19 responses on September 8, before Full Council meets on December 1 to approve the final version of the Plan for submission.
The council must submit the Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate before December 31, 2026, after which it will undergo examination, with public hearings expected in 2027.
Major developments proposed
The plan includes proposals for several major developments across the District:
A large site on the northern edge of Sevenoaks is proposed for 1,500 homes, identified as land east of London Road in Dunton Green and west of the Otford Road. The site lies between Dunton Green and Bat and Ball railway stations.
Pedham Place is proposed as a new standalone settlement with 2,579 new homes and 49,000 square metres of industry. The development, located near Swanley and Farningham, would span both parishes and has attracted significant public interest during consultations.
Near Pedham Place, a separate proposal for a 28,000-seater rugby stadium and associated training facilities is also under consideration.
In Edenbridge, multiple green belt sites are allocated for development, part of over 2100 new dwellings proposed under the plan.
The plan proposes developments across the district's four main towns—Sevenoaks, Swanley, Edenbridge and Westerham—as well as other settlements including Hartley, Hextable, Otford and New Ash Green.
Read about Sevenoaks Liberal Democrats' position on the Local Plan here
Current Timeline
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March 5, 2026
Results of the initial public consultation are published and presented to the Development & Infrastructure Advisory Committee
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June 30, 2026
The final draft (Regulation 19 version) goes before the Development & Infrastructure Advisory Committee.
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July 7, 2026
The all-Conservative Cabinet meets to approve the Plan for its next stage.
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July – Sept 2026
A minimum six-week window for the public to comment on the plan's "soundness".
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Sept 8, 2026
The Development & Infrastructure Advisory Committee receives an update on the public responses gathered during the summer.
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Dec 1, 2026
The Council meets to grant final approval for the Plan's submission.
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By Dec 31, 2026
The Local Plan must be submitted to the Government's Planning Inspectorate for examination.
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During 2027
The Plan undergoes formal examination, including expected public hearings.
