Conservative led Sevenoaks District Council is 'wrecking' Sevenoaks as it faces abolition

It's hard to describe plans and decisions coming out of Conservative led Sevenoaks District Council as it faces abolition as anything other than wrecking our town.

Last year came the plans to turn large areas of our green belt into ‘grey belt' - and fill the space between Otford, Dunton Green and our precious Wildlife Reserve with 2000 houses. This would surround both the River Darenth and the Wildlife Reserve (a Site of Special Scientific Interest) with tarmac.

Last month we saw planning recommendations for conservation areas at The Vine and Vine Court which drive a coach and horses through conservation area management plans. Spaces, views and trees which should have been protected lost to new building.

We've also seen Conservative plans to develop the car parks round the Leisure Centre are based on the assumption that the cars from 280 plus ground level parking spaces can be accommodated in car parks elsewhere. Questioned about this fanciful idea, council officers have waved away voices of those who live and work In the town, and who know that this is a real issue, both for workers and customers in our town centre businesses.

This week we've discovered that District Council officers have been making plans to build houses in Hollybush Recreation ground since 2021 - keeping local Councillors in the dark. They seem to have forgotten that Hollybush is allocated - both in the old Local Plan and in the new one the District Council has been writing for ten years - as green amenity and sports land. They have also ignored the fact that Hollybush Rec was bought and paid for by the townspeople of Sevenoaks on condition that it is used for a rec, or other public use.

Finally we find that Conservative Sevenoaks District Council, ignoring the biggest petition it's ever received to hand the Stag freehold to the Town Council, is considering an offer from a private buyer. This puts at risk a treasured community asset, built up over forty years by dedicated volunteers and professionals, which brings millions of pounds into Sevenoaks. It would torpedo Stag's plans to improve the theatre and cinemas.

It is difficult to see how the Tory District Council could be more destructive to the social fabric, heritage and economy of Sevenoaks. It is being driven by a small minority of councillors who have lost their majority after splits and infighting and who do not represent us. They need to go.

Tony Clayton
Town & District Councillor Sevenoaks