Latest news with #SevenoaksDistrictCouncil
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Once in a generation' makeover plans move forward
Updated plans for a "once in a generation" town centre makeover are expected to move forward to the next stage. Notices have been issued seeking private firms to help build a proposed £120m mixed development on land east of Sevenoaks High Street. A proposal submitted by consultancy firm Lambert Smith Hampton on behalf of Sevenoaks District Council include a new leisure centre, a "cultural hub and market hall" and new public spaces. Councillors will meet to discuss the updated proposals and the next steps for the project at a full council meeting on 29 April. Sevenoaks council has wanted to redevelop the land around Buckhurst Lane and Suffolk Way for some time, and last year made £435,000 available for planning the extensive works. Originally, Kent County Council was to be involved in the works and wanted to replace the Kaleidoscope building, which hosts a gallery, museum and library. In February, it was announced that the Kent authority had withdrawn from the project and the library would stay in its current location, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Once finalised, the plans could include between 264 and 300 homes, according to Sevenoaks council. The homes would be split between a new development on Suffolk Lane and the site of the former Tesco in the town's High Street, which already has planning permission for 104 homes and three commercial units. The council also has plans to introduce measures to "minimise the use of vehicles in the local area". Councillors will vote on a request to put the contract for the project out to tender, with a final partner to be appointed by the end of the year. Once a partner is chosen, design work, including finalising the number of homes included in the project, is expected to commence in January 2026, before a planning application is submitted. The whole project is expected to take at least four years. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Fresh proposals for land east of Sevenoaks Plans to regenerate Sevenoaks High Street begin Sevenoaks District Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Sevenoaks residents urged to comment on business park plans
Residents in an area of Kent are being encouraged to share their thoughts on updated plans for a new business plans for Otford Road in Sevenoaks includes business units, a drive-thru, a small council storage area, greenery and supporting a consultation, Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) cut the number of business units from four to three, they were placed further away from the Jubilee Cottages and more greenery was added to the sustainable technology, cycling space and a walking path was also added to the plans. Michael Horwood, the council's cabinet member for innovation and improvement, said: "We know from speaking with businesses, and from our Local Plan studies, there is a desperate need for more light industrial business space in the district."The finished business units and drive-thru would remain in SDC's ownership and would be leased out.A detailed planning application for the drive-thru will be made by the operator of the facility when deadline for comments is 9 April.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fresh proposals for land east of Sevenoaks
Plans to regenerate the land east of Sevenoaks High Street are being updated following feedback from the public and stakeholders, Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) has said. The previous proposals for the land included improvements to public spaces, a new leisure centre and a new library. However, SDC said that although residents were generally supportive of the proposals they had raised concerns about rebuilding the library, car parking, accessibility, the size of the new leisure centre, and impact from construction activities and traffic. A decision has been made by Kent County Council (KCC) to not include the library as part of the project. KCC said the current library was already well used by the public and would stay in its existing form in the town centre. SDC's new proposals still include a new leisure centre and a cultural hub and market hall for traders to complement the Wednesday and Saturday street markets, as well as new town centre homes built with dedicated parking spaces. The council said it would be asking potential development partners to put forward schemes via a procurement process that they think best meet the project's requirements and objectives. Councillor Michael Horwood, SDC's cabinet member for innovation and improvement, said: "We remain 100% committed to delivering this very important project to improve Sevenoaks' leisure and cultural offer, supporting the town's economy and enhancing the environment." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Plans to regenerate Sevenoaks High Street begin Sevenoaks District Council Kent County Council
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmer fights to get £27k back for form mistake
A farmer has said he is fighting to be reimbursed after "one little bit of paper" cost him more than £27,000 due to a mistake with building forms. Simon Broad said he was given a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) bill by Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) because he failed to submit the correct commencement notice form when he was building his family home in Penshurst. Mr Broad, who built the three-bedroom home on his farm, said: "There's no logic to this. It's very poorly thought out and it's being seized on by councils." SDC said while it sympathised with Mr Broad, the requirements were set out in law and had to be followed. A Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a fee meant for large-scale developers which is used to fund local improvements including new roads and facilities. Mr Broad said although he told the council he was starting work on his home in February 2017, he received the bill for not using the right form and decided to pay after fighting for "a year or two". He now wants his money back after West Berkshire Council leader Jeff Brooks said he had reimbursed residents who were accidentally charged in his authority's area. SDC said the government has changed the law since Mr Broad's application was approved, so exemptions are no longer lost if a commencement notice is not served in time. However, this change only impacted developments that had permission granted after 2019 and could not be applied retrospectively, the council said. Mr Broad has told the council to "stop hiding behind the legislation and do the right thing". The farmer said a group of people who had received similar bills were looking to fight the issue nationally. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments (MHCLG) said householder developments, including extensions and self-builders, were able to get a CIL exemption before a development started. It added: "Councils are ultimately responsible for their own charging and enforcement decisions in line with regulations and guidance, and we expect these to be carefully considered. "We are committed to improving the system of developer contributions so it is as clear and effective as possible and will set out further details in due course." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. 'We were charged £38k in planning fee mix up' MPs urge action to ease planning fee 'suffering' Couple's relief over £70k planning charge appeal Sevenoaks District Council
