This Website has been set up to provide ongoing advice to the residents of Hartley about the development of a Neighbourhood Plan which will give the community legal powers to influence future planning development in the Parish.
WHAT IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?
2,600 Parish Communities in England and Wales have already completed, or are drawing up, Neighbourhood Plans. They are written by local communities and concern the use and development of land as well as containing a Vision for the future by addressing planning policies, proposals for improvement of an area and providing new facilities in the Parish. The Neighbourhood Plan would also influence future Sevenoaks Local Development Plans and the need for infrastructure. Once made, it would become part of the Development Plan for Sevenoaks District Council and would be considered in planning decisions. This Legal status is important.
WHY DOES HARTLEY NEED A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?
Hartley is surrounded by the Metropolitan Green Belt, and this is under threat. The Parish Council believes that these green areas must be preserved and the legal powers in a Neighbourhood Plan could prove to be vital.
Most residents will remember 2018/2019 for the massive local support against the Sevenoaks Draft Local Plan which proposed large scale residential development in the Green Belt. In response to the objections and the lack of infrastructure, and comments about lack of consultation by SDC with other local authorities by the Planning Inspector, the Draft Local Plan was withdrawn by SDC. Following substantial review by SDC they have now prepared a new Draft Local Plan for consultation with the residents.
THE NEXT STEP
After consulting residents in 2021, the Parish Council was convinced that a Neighbourhood Plan is essential for Hartley. At least 11 Parishes in Sevenoaks have been working on their Neighbourhood Plans. Our neighbours in Fawkham had their Neighbourhood Plan approved in February 2025. From start to finish, the Neighbourhood Plan will take about six years to complete and could cost between £15,000 and £35,000. This figure would be offset by a Government Grant. The Parish Council is convinced that this is the right course of action to protect our Village and it proposes to meet any shortfall from reserves. The cost covers publicity and consultations, and consultancy fees for specialist surveys. SDC has supported the preparatory work by allocating a Planning Officer to give advice, free of charge.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
The key to creating a successful Neighbourhood Plan is listening to the views and ideas of residents and businesses for inclusion in the Plan. To do this, a Steering Group consisting of a few Parish Councillors and local residents was set up to promote the Plan, draft Policies and undertake consultations. A number of consultations have taken place seeking the views of residents, businesses and landowners on the Neighbourhood Plan. Full details of all consultations can be seen in the "Consultation" section of this website. From these consultations a Vision Statement and a set of Policies have been produced and are detailed in the section headed "Neighbourhood Plan".
LOCAL SUPPORT
The Steering Group has been very appreciative of the number of residents who have volunteered to help in a variety of ways including the work of distributing leaflets and questionnaires throughout the Parish. There are some 2,500 houses in the Parish and their efforts are considerable.