The Development Management Committee of Sevenoaks Council met on 14 August 2025, and approved planning applications for a mixed-use development including commercial units and a drive-through restaurant on Otford Road, an amendment to a rear extension on Bayham Road, and the change of use of a residential annexe to a separate dwelling in Chiddingstone Hoath.

Council Depot, Otford Road, Sevenoaks

The committee approved a hybrid planning application for the Council Depot, which includes full planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of three employment units, and outline planning permission for a drive-through restaurant. The application, reference 25/00410/HYB, was granted subject to conditions.

The proposed development includes:

• Three commercial units for research and development, light industrial, and storage and distribution use.
• A drive-through restaurant.
• Associated parking and landscaping.

The committee noted that the site is located within the Green Belt, but that the proposed development would utilise grey belt land and would not undermine the purposes of the remaining Green Belt¹. They also noted that there is a demonstrable unmet need for commercial sites within the district. The committee considered objections from Sevenoaks Town Council, which argued that the fast-food element of the proposal did not comply with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Sevenoaks Town Neighbourhood Plan and that the proposals did not comply with Sevenoaks District Council Policy EN2, which relates to safeguarding the amenities of current and future residents.

The committee was satisfied that the proposed development would not have a severe impact on highway safety, and that the proposed landscaping would help to mitigate any visual impact. They also imposed conditions relating to external lighting, a travel plan, and construction management plans.

Bayham Road, Sevenoaks

The committee approved an application, reference 25/00285/MMA, for a minor material amendment to a previously approved planning permission (23/00030/HOUSE) at 85 Bayham Road, to alter the width of a rear extension and reduce the distance between the rear extension and an adjacent fence/boundary.

The committee noted objections from Sevenoaks Town Council, which raised concerns about loss of light and the accuracy of the submitted plans. Objectors also raised concerns about loss of light and outlook, the extension being overbearing, and the height of the extension being taller than permitted.

The committee concluded that the proposed amendment would not cause significant harm to the amenities enjoyed by neighbouring properties and that the proposal complied with policy EN2 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan (ADMP).

Annexe to the Bungalow, Hoath House, Chiddingstone Hoath

The committee approved an application, reference 24/02699/FUL, for a retrospective change of use from an ancillary annexe to a separate dwelling at Annexe To the Bungalow, Hoath House.

The committee noted that the application site is located within the Metropolitan Green Belt² and the High Weald National Landscape³. The committee considered that the proposal complied with policy GB7 of the ADMP, which permits the re-use of a building within the Green Belt where the new use would not have a materially greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and where the applicant can demonstrate that the building is of permanent and substantial construction.

The committee imposed a condition requiring biodiversity enhancements to be secured within the application site, in accordance with policy EN5 of the ADMP.