Sevenoaks District Local Plan Must Protect Rivers, Council Agrees

Sevenoaks District Council has agreed that protection of the district's rivers must be built into its emerging Local Plan, following a successful Liberal Democrat proposal at Tuesday's council meeting.

The motion - passed on 18 November - commits the council to ensuring the sustainable health of all rivers across Sevenoaks District as the Local Plan develops.

While the exact wording of this commitment is yet to be determined, the instruction to planning officers is clear: river protection must be a core element of the plan that will shape development across the district for years to come.

The decision comes as the council's draft Local Plan attempts to identify sites for 17,000 new homes across the district, with a public consultation running until 11 December 2025.

Liberal Democrats have set out four key tests for the Local Plan, including proper infrastructure support from day one. This latest commitment on river health strengthens that demand, ensuring that new development cannot proceed at the expense of our natural environment.

The move also reflects Liberal Democrat priorities at both national and county level, where the party has committed to working with water companies to reduce pollution in Kent rivers and ensure all beaches are fit for swimming.

With the consultation's 11 December 2025 deadline approaching, residents are encouraged to have their say on the Local Plan at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/emerginglocalplan.