Council considers how to meet increased Government housing targets through its Local Plan

Councillors are set to consider the new Local Plan, with locations for new homes, that will go to public consultation later this year.

The Local Plan will guide how development will occur between 2027 and 2042 and lists potential development sites, proposed by landowners, to meet the Government’s significantly increased housing targets on the District.

The Government has instructed Sevenoaks District Council to identify land for 1,145 new homes every year, a 63% increase on the current housing target.

While the new Local Plan proposes making the best use of sites within existing built-up areas, the Government amended planning laws require councils to use Green Belt land to meet its housing target.

The Government has said councils should consider ‘Grey Belt’ sites, in broad terms land which now fails to meet one of three national purposes of the Green Belt, or already developed Green Belt land, provided it is in the most sustainable locations, to meet the housing target.

Failing to meet the housing target could lead to the Local Plan being refused by Planning Inspectors. This would leave the District open to piecemeal development, which makes it harder for infrastructure providers to holistically consider the impact of new housing development on their services.

The Local Plan includes sites, spread across a broad range of settlements in the District, to meet the Government’s housing target in full, including much-needed affordable homes. All the sites that are under consideration have been put forward by landowners and developers. The Council has assessed the sites against the new national planning criteria which the Government brought in last December.

As well as new homes, the Local Plan includes proposals to support the economy by protecting business space and high streets and the provision of new infrastructure such as schools, shops, health centres and improved local transport.

Whilst it is challenging that land in the Green Belt is being considered to meet national housing targets, the Local Plan will do all it can to protect the overwhelming majority of the Green Belt and the District’s environment and unique and special character.

The consultation version of the Local Plan will be considered by the Development & Infrastructure Advisory Committee on Tuesday 23 September and Cabinet on 9 October 2025. Subject to Cabinet approval, the Council will consult on the new Local Plan from 23 October until 11 December 2025.

Further information is available at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/localplanconsultation.

Cllr Nigel Williams, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Development & Infrastructure, says: “While everyone agrees there is a need for new affordable homes for residents’ current and future needs, the Government has radically increased the District’s housing target, whilst virtually removing Green Belt protections in large parts of our District.

“We cannot delay or stop the new Local Plan, as it is a Government-led process initiated by the secretary of state.

“Nonetheless, we are determined to do everything we can to secure the required infrastructure improvements to mitigate the huge scale of housing required, and to be clear that developers will need to deliver a much higher level of affordable housing in certain areas.

“It is also important to recognise that, without an approved Local Plan, the District will continue to be at risk of piecemeal development, which often leads to a significant lag in vital public infrastructure, putting pressure on local roads, medical facilities, schools and other services. It is vital that we have a Local Plan if we want to mitigate the new developments coming forward due to the Government imposed planning demands.

“We’re very keen to hear our residents’ views on the sites proposed by landowners and I would urge local people to take part in our survey, which will open in October for seven weeks.

“The final decision relating to the Local Plan ultimately rests with the Government’s Planning Inspector.”