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Sevenoaks

Bat and Ball Station, Sevenoaks. Credit: Nick Kane

Sevenoaks District Council’s location in West Kent means it borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south. Our District is shaped by our high quality natural and built environment and we are committed to achieving well-designed places and buildings.

We do this by ensuring that:

  • Development exhibits high quality design and responds to the distinctive local character of the area;
  • Development is safe, inclusive and attractive and meets the needs of users, incorporates principles of sustainable development and maintains and enhances biodiversity;
  • Development must be designed to promote mental and physical health

Design Process

Sevenoaks District Council work proactively with local communities, the public and private sectors and a wide range of other stakeholders to improve the design process. This ensures development is high quality design which responds to the distinctive local character of the area. Initiatives to achieve excellent design quality include:

  • A pre-application process with planning, design and conservation officers to facilitate early stage advice and engagement on schemes
  • Robust design-focused policy and guidance including character studies, conservation area appraisals, village design statements and design coding
Opposite: Rural Sevenoaks. Credit: Sevenoaks District Council
  • Establishing a bespoke Sevenoaks Design Review Panel to assess emerging major masterplans and development proposals
  • Supporting design training for planning officers and Councillors both in-house and through Kent Design and Design South East
  • Using Building for a Healthy Life Toolkit (previously Building for Life 12) to review and assess completed schemes
Opposite: Sevenoaks Town Centre. Credit: Sevenoaks District Council