Planning and Transport — 17 August 2026
Meeting Agenda
| Meeting Date: | Monday 17 Aug 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Councillors | Jon Aldridge Chairman, Angela Baker, Michael Gemmell Smith, Alan Layland, Margot McArthur, Stuart McGregor, Vince Parker, Angela Read Vice-Chairwoman, Michael Stockdale, Jeff Streets, Bob Todd. |
| Committee: | Planning and Transport |
| Venue: | Rickards Hall. 72a High Street Edenbridge, TN8 5AR Kent |
| Notes: | |
| Summary: |
Agenda
Minutes
The Minutes are not currently available.
Members of the District Council wish to state that although they will be considering planning applications at this meeting they would be reconsidering them at the district level, taking into account all relevant evidence and representations there.
Members are reminded to the Code of Conduct, and Appendix B - Registering interests and non participation.
Members of the public, and members with prejudicial interests on items on the Agenda, may make representations, answer, ask questions and give evidence at this meeting in respect of items on the Agenda. (This is the only opportunity for members of the public to make a contribution during the meeting.)
Both public and members are limited to three minutes per person to speak and the total time designated for public questions shall not exceed fifteen minutes unless directed by the Chairman.
| 26/00859/FUL |
| 26/01529/FUL |
| 26/01871/WTPO |
| 26/01715/DETAIL |
| 26/01800/DETAIL |
| 26/01799/DETAIL |
| 26/01970/WTPO |
| 26/01939/WTCA |
| 26/01970/WTPO |
| 26/01721/DETAIL |
| 26/00903/HOUSE |
| 26/01935/DETAIL |
Status: Granted
| 26/01306/HOUSE |
Status: Granted
| 26/00819/HOUSE |
Conversion and extension with alterations to fenestration of existing detached garage to provide an annexe dwelling ancillary to the main dwelling
Recommendation: Members supported this application subject to the Conservation Officers' approval.
| 26/00904/LBCALT |
Demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement garage
Recommendation: Members supported this application.
| 26/01348/HOUSE |
To note: SDC has advised - Site: Rear Of 102 To 104 High Street Edenbridge Kent TN8 5AR Conversion of former office into a self-contained dwelling. Please note that works are complete and the property is occupied; and can confirm the new addressing for the above development, now 100A High Street.
| 2600076PLAN.pdf |
Members will recall previous discussions regarding the potential preparation of a Spatial Settlement Plan (SSP) to assist the Council in responding to the emerging Sevenoaks Local Plan and, in the longer term, to provide an evidence base should the Council decide to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan.
An allocation of £5,000 was included within the 2026/27 budget for this purpose, based on initial discussions and indicative costs available at that time. At its July meeting, Council supported an anticipated project cost in the region of £6,000.
Following recent discussions with ONH Planning, a detailed quotation has now been received for the enhanced SSP+ product. This reflects changes to the product since the Council's initial enquiries in 2025 and includes a more comprehensive programme of stakeholder and community engagement, workshops, scenario testing and the preparation of a final illustrated strategy report (as discussed at the NALC conference 2026). The quotation totals £12,950 plus VAT, plus £200 for in-person meeting expenses.
The proposed programme would commence within approximately four weeks of appointment and is expected to take between four and five months to complete. Whilst this would not inform the current Regulation 19 consultation, it would be available before submission of the Local Plan and well in advance of the Examination in Public. It would also provide a valuable evidence base should the Council subsequently decide to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan.
Long-term Value: Whilst the immediate purpose of the Spatial Settlement Plan (SSP+) is to strengthen the Council's strategic position during the forthcoming Local Plan Examination, it should not be viewed as a one-off piece of work.
The SSP+ is intended to provide a long-term spatial planning framework for Edenbridge. The evidence gathering, stakeholder engagement, scenario testing and preferred strategy would remain relevant beyond the current Local Plan process and could be used to inform the Council's response to future planning applications, infrastructure planning and discussions with the emerging West Kent Unitary Authority.
Importantly, should the Council decide to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan in the future, much of the evidence base and strategic thinking developed through the SSP+ could be incorporated into that process. This has the potential to reduce duplication of work, avoid repeating stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering, and consequently reduce the scope, timescale and cost of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.
Members are therefore asked to consider the proposal not only as an investment in the current Local Plan process, but also as a strategic document capable of supporting the Council's planning objectives for many years to come.
Financial Implications: The quotation exceeds the existing resolution provision by £7,1650 (excluding VAT).
The Council currently has the following reserves available which could, if Members considered appropriate, contribute towards the additional cost:
- Neighbourhood Plan Earmarked Reserve - £15,000
- Contingency budget (1010) - £10,000
- Strategic Projects Earmarked Reserve - £10,000, with a further £10,000 budgeted for transfer during the current financial year.
Given that the project is intended both to support the Local Plan Examination process and to provide a foundation for any future Neighbourhood Plan, Members may consider that funding from one or more of these reserves would be appropriate.
Considerations
The proposal represents a significantly more comprehensive piece of work than originally anticipated and therefore a higher financial commitment.
Potential benefits include:
- providing a robust evidence base to support the Council's participation at the Local Plan Examination;
- identifying preferred long-term growth and infrastructure scenarios for Edenbridge;
- strengthening the Council's strategic planning position with Sevenoaks District Council and any future unitary authority;
- providing evidence that could be utilised if the Council decides to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan.
Members should also consider whether the additional scope and potential long-term benefits justify the increased expenditure.
Recommendation
Members are invited to consider the quotation and either:
- Approve the appointment of ONH Planning to prepare the Spatial Settlement Plan (SSP+) at a cost of £12,950 plus VAT and £200 expenses, with the additional funding to be met from the appropriate reserve(s); or
- Recommend the proposal to Full Council for determination.
| Confidential Annex Omitted from Papers. |
Following last year's internal repairs and redecoration, a small section of the floor requires staining to blend with the surrounding area. In addition, in accordance with the Council's 10-year maintenance programme, the floor is now due for its routine sanding and revarnishing, which is undertaken every 3–5 years.
Two quotations have been obtained:
- Contractor A: £1,400
- Contractor B: £3,600
There is a limited opportunity to undertake these works before the autumn programme of bookings. The earliest available window is 26–29 August; otherwise, the works would need to be deferred until December. Contractor A has previously undertaken similar works for the Council to a satisfactory standard and offers the most economically advantageous quotation.
Recommendation
Members are asked to support the officer's recommendation to appoint Contractor A at a cost of £1,400, with the works commencing on 26 August 2026.
| Confidential Annex Omitted from Papers. |
| Confidential Annex Omitted from Papers. |
A request was made by the Edenbridge Medical Centre for more central location to attract more attendees.
The Fall Prevention Course would be held on a September afternoon for 2-3 hours. The Community Warden would be on hand at the event.
At a Full Council Meeting on 6th July 2026 Members agreed a 12.00 per hour Community Rate for Rickards Hall.
Do Members agree that the Edenbridge Medical Centre be given free use of Rickards Hall to host a free Fall Prevention Awareness Course?