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PLANNING THE FUTURE OF SEVENOAKS DISTRICT. Presentation to Sevenoaks Society 7 October 2009. Alan Dyer Planning Policy Manager Sevenoaks District Council. Sevenoaks Urban Area. The Approach. The plan proposes that future development will be located in existing urban areas.
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PLANNING THE FUTURE OF SEVENOAKS DISTRICT Presentation to Sevenoaks Society 7 October 2009 Alan Dyer Planning Policy Manager Sevenoaks District Council
The Approach The plan proposes that future development will be located in existing urban areas Whilst continuing to protect the countryside.
Key Issues Housing Provision Housing Needs Employment Land Town Centres Design and Conservation Sustainable Development Infrastructure and Open Space
Housing Provision We have been set a requirement of 3,300 dwellings (2006-2026) for the District equivalent to an average of 165 dwellings per annum.
What we must do If we did nothing and dealt with applications as they came in we would probably meet the requirement without building in the Green Belt. But: • We would not be promoting development in the most suitable locations and on the best sites • Government requires us to shown how and where the requirement will be met
Assessing the Housing Supply Includes: • Completions • Commitments • Potential Development Sites • Broad Locations • Windfalls
Affordable Housing Housing to meet the needs of people who cannot afford to buy or rent on the open market Aims to increase provision in response to need Requires affordable housing in smaller schemes (down to 5 Units) Allows for small scale schemes on the edge of villages to meet local need
Housing size and type More older people and more single person households Future housing should reflect needs of the changing population – case for more smaller units. Supports higher density development in accessible locations close to services and facilities provided local character is not damaged.
Employment Land Requires well-located employment land to be retained Supports redevelopment to meet modern needs Some new provision in town centres and at Swanley Priority to business and tourist use in conversion of buildings in rural areas
Sevenoaks Town Centre We need to maintain the vitality and viability of the centre and protect its historic character. • Retail Study Update shows capacity for limited growth in the long term • Scope for development of land west of Blighs Meadow • Waitrose redevelopment • Longer term opportunities east of the High Street
Design and Conservation • Requires development to be designed to a high quality • Respond to distinctive local character • Safeguards District heritage Detailed guidance to be developed at a local level including Character Area Appraisals and Parish Plans/Village Design Statements.
Sustainable Development Promotes sustainable design and construction Promotes greater use of renewable energy Supports measures to reduce reliance on the car Avoids development in areas liable to flood Requires sustainable drainage and measures to reduce water consumption in new developments Requires air quality impacts to be assessed.
Infrastructure and Open Space Services and facilities needed to support new development Requires new development to provide or contribute to additional requirements Open space, sport and recreational facilities of value to the community will be retained.
