Views sought on new Business Park for Sevenoaks

Former recycling centre could be redeveloped

Sevenoaks District Council is keen to hear residents’ views on its early ideas for a small business park on Otford Road, Sevenoaks to support the local economy.

Residents can view and comment on the proposals at an exhibition at Bat and Ball Railway Station (TN14 5AP) from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 14 September 2024.

The Otford Road site is currently used to store waste bins. Previously it was a Kent County Council household waste recycling centre (also known as the tip).

The site was used for many years by our waste collection teams to store equipment and has been extensively built on; there are a number of buildings and most of the remaining area has been tarmacked over.

However, in recent years, it has been underused. The Council wants to put the site into better use to support the local economy and communities.

The business park would include four, small industrial units with a drive through. These would bring much needed business space, creating new jobs and benefitting local people. The Council has already had interest from businesses keen to take space at the site.

Energy saving features form part of the proposal with solar panels and low carbon heating, electric vehicle charging points and cycle shelters.

The finished units would remain in the Council’s ownership and would be leased out.

The community can also view and comment on the proposals from 14 September to 6 October 2024 online at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/businesspark.

Once the Council has considered the comments, it will review the plans. The Council intends to submit a planning application over the winter.

Cllr Michael Horwood, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Innovation and Improvement, says:

“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.

“Our proposal is a win-win for everyone. We will regenerate already developed but underused land, providing jobs for local people. We will also get a long-term rental income, helping to support the important services we provide to our communities.

“But before we move forward, we want to hear what our communities have to say.

More from WEST KENT NEWS

  • Reform Expels 2 More

    Two more suspended Reform UK Kent County Councillors have been booted out of the party.

  • High Brooms Assault

    Kent police have issued pictures of two people they are looking to identify after a violent assault on the streets of High Brooms.

  • Crucial Sevenoaks Council Meeting

    The Conservative leader of Sevenoaks District Council is likely to lose his job at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

  • Kent's Councils: 5 Options

    A total of five different options have now been put forward for council areas in Kent once the current two-tier system is abolished.

  • MPs Doubt Gatwick Growth Boost

    The Government's decision to approve a huge expansion of Gatwick Airport has been followed by a legal challenge and strong criticism from a cross-party group of MPs.

  • Old Bright the Postman

    The Amelia Scott centre in Tunbridge Wells says it's delighted to have acquired a collage depicting the church in Frant and the local postman from the 1820s.

  • St Mark's Field: Developer's Plans

    The developer Esquire has submitted a planning application to reclassify St Mark's recreation ground as a "Biodiversity Enhancement area."

  • Crowborough Asylum Seeker Camp Row

    The Liberal Democrat leader of Wealden Council says he now regrets not informing the people of Crowborough earlier of government plans to house 600 asylum seekers at a local military base.

On Air Now Through The Night 1:00am - 7:00am
Now Playing
The One I Love David Gray
Recently Played
  • A Thousand Hallelujahs The Shires 3:22
  • Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me Elton John & George Michael 3:17
  • Can't Fight This Feeling Bastille 3:13

COMING UP

  • Alan Rustad

    7:00am - 10:00am

    West Kent Breakfast sponsored by Berry & Lamberts

  • Mid Morning Golden Greats

    10:00am - Noon

    Hits from the 60's to 90's