Sevenoaks District is 93% Green Belt and I have always been clear that this needs to be taken into account when calculating our housing number. It is imperative that we build homes for local people, but we must also protect the Green Belt, and ensure new homes come with the right infrastructure for communities living here.
An agreed Local Plan is pivotal in delivering this, and I am pleased that last week the Regulation 18 consultation for the Local Plan commenced. The Plan will eventually help deliver much needed new homes, whilst making it clear that there needs to be improved transport and social infrastructure (the latter including education, health sport and leisure). Environmental protection is also an important factor.
Last week I met with Council Leader Julia Thornton, and Simon Reay (Cabinet Member responsible for planning). Along with council officers, they talked me through the current consultation document (which has a number of options in) and I reiterated my position that I do not support development on the Green Belt without local consent – something I have also been championing in Westminster with regard the National Planning Policy Framework.
The current consultation runs until 11 January and there will be drop-ins at the Sevenoaks District Council offices on Monday 4 December and at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre on Tuesday 9 January both between 4.30pm and 7.30pm, for anyone who wishes to attend. You can also access the consultation online through this link: https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/info/20069131/plan_2040 . Engagement with the plan is vital, so please do have a look if you can.
Finally, the Christmas lights switch-on in Sevenoaks has been a firm fixture in the town’s calendar for many years and is always one of the highlights of the year – particularly for families. However, I was greatly concerned with the level of anti-social behaviour witnessed last Saturday at The Vine.
At the time of writing this column, I have raised my concerns not only with the police but also with Sevenoaks Town Council. It is crucial to learn what went wrong, and for them to set out how the event next year will be made more secure.
Such behaviour will not be tolerated, and we must ensure the town is safe for families and friends to enjoy the celebrations safely.
