Both Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) and Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) are consulting on Local Plans. These are the documents that determine where development should be in the future, as far as the 2040s.
But both of our Councils have been placed in a near impossible position by Government changes to planning policies.
The housing targets have increased by 34% in Tonbridge and Malling, and 63% in Sevenoaks. These are now not choices for either of our Councils, the Government have made this mandatory for them.
Whilst reducing the housing target in cities such as London and neighbouring Labour-controlled Councils such as Medway, both TMBC and SDC have been asked to take more.
That means the Government are asking all the towns and villages across Tonbridge, Edenbridge and North Downs Villages to deliver over 2,000 new homes each year.
Both the Leaders of TMBC and SDC, Matt Boughton and Roddy Hogarth, have pushed back against the Government, but Labour are determined to push ahead with mass development in our community, regardless of what our local councils think is in our best interest.
Grey belt
The Government also introduced this concept of ‘grey belt’ land. Do you remember in the General Election in 2024 when they said this would mean disused petrol stations?
I am afraid, it doesn’t.
They have effectively made all land immediately adjacent to towns and villages grey belt. Essentially this gives the green light for developers to put forward proposals to expand all our towns and villages, without communities being able to rely on any previous protection the greenbelt provided.
Our green spaces are an invaluable part of the national inheritance for our children, and our children's children - when it's gone, it's gone.
What happened in Parliament?
On Thursday 9 June 2025, the Government held a series of votes on its latest Planning and Infrastructure Bill. That evening, something extremely important happened which opened the door for these changes.
As Conservatives, we tried to change the Government’s proposals. Our specific policy would be that towns and villages should not be allowed to merge into one another. This would have protected the shape of our towns and villages as we know them today – effectively making the Government’s definition of grey belt redundant.
Sadly, we were defeated with our amendment. Not just by the Labour Party, but also by the Green Party too.
That evening in the House of Commons made clear to me that both Labour and the Greens are determined to change as much of our greenbelt as possible to grey belt land.
Where are the main proposals?
3,000 homes have been put forward in Borough Green, extending east to Platt and Wrotham Heath (Tonbridge and Malling Borough)
2,300 homes have been put forward in Tonbridge, with 1,700 in North East Tonbridge between Hadlow Road, Higham Lane as far as Carroty Wood, and 600 in South West Tonbridge along Brook Street (Tonbridge and Malling Borough)
2,000 homes in Edenbridge including land north of Swan Lane, sites along Hilders Lane and Breezehurst Farm, as far as Crouch House Road (Sevenoaks District)
1,000 homes in Hildenborough, much of which is between B245 Tonbridge Road and Stocks Green Road (Tonbridge and Malling Borough)
1,000 homes in New Ash Green, most of which is south of Redhill Road as far as Church Lane in Ash (Sevenoaks District)
600 homes in East Peckham, primarily between Church Lane and Hale Street (Tonbridge and Malling Borough)
300 homes in Hadlow, including land off Carpenters Lane and Court Lane (Tonbridge and Malling Borough)
300 homes in Chiddingstone Causeway, between Redleaf Close and the Little Brown Jug (Sevenoaks District)
This is not an exhaustive list, there are many other sites now being proposed too.
What can I do?
Put simply, we all need to respond to the consultation both Councils are running. Anyone is able to respond.
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
The consultation for land in Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council area started on Monday 10 November 2025 and runs through to Friday 2 January 2026.
You can view the Draft Local Plan HERE.
You can see the map of sites HERE.
You can respond to the Draft Local Plan HERE.
There are a series of Public Meetings taking place across our community over the next few weeks, organised by Parish Councils or Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. There is no need to book and you can attend any you wish:
Wednesday 26 November 2025, 7pm, Plaxtol Memorial Hall
Thursday 27 November 2025 - 7.30pm, Angel Centre, Tonbridge
Friday 28 November 2025 - 7.30pm, Borough Green Village Hall
Saturday 29 November 2025, 1.45pm, Addington Village Hall
Saturday 29 November 2025 - 4.30pm, Jubilee Hall, East Peckham
Sunday 30 November 2025, 12.45pm, Hadlow Old School Hall
Monday 1 December 2025 - 7.15pm, Mereworth Village Hall
Friday 5 December 2025, 7pm, Hildenborough Village Hall (Organised by Hildenborough Village Preservation Association)
Monday 8 December 2025 - 7.15pm, All Saints Church, Birling
Tuesday 9 December 2025 - 7pm, Ightham Scout Pavilion
Monday 15 December 2025, 7pm - There will be an online meeting organised by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. You can register to attend HERE.
There will also be ‘drop-in’ sessions where you can meet with the TMBC Planning team to discuss the Local Plan. These will be at:
Monday 24 November 2025 - 6.30pm-7.15pm, Tonbridge Methodist Church, Higham Lane
Thursday 4 December 2025 - 4pm-7pm, Tonbridge Castle
Sevenoaks District Council
The consultation for land in Sevenoaks District Council area started on Thursday 23 October 2025 and runs until Thursday 11 December 2025.
You can view the Draft Local Plan HERE.
You can see the map of sites HERE.
Sevenoaks District Council are hosting 'Pop up’ session at 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm in New Ash Green Youth Centre (Main Hall) on Thursday 27 November 2025. You must book HERE to attend:
