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.