A second bid, for up to nine homes on Green Belt farmland off Childsbridge Lane, was lodged 18 days after seven were approved next door. Comments close 9 Oct.

A second application for homes on Green Belt farmland off Childsbridge Lane, Kemsing, has been lodged. It seeks permission in principle for up to nine dwellings on the field next to a plot where up to seven were approved on 4 September.

Sevenoaks District Council validated the new application on 22 September. The reference is 26/02521/PIP. (Sevenoaks District Council, Public Access, 26/02521/PIP)

What is proposed

The site is 0.49 hectares of grassland on the south side of the M26. The application form says it is used for hay production.

The applicant’s planning assessment describes it as “the continuation of that field west of the permitted land”. It would be reached by the same gated farm entrance on Childsbridge Lane. (Decision assessment and application form, 26/02521/PIP documents)

Side by side, the two applications are:

First application New application
Reference 26/01327/PIP 26/02521/PIP
Homes 1 to 7 1 to 9
Site area 0.36 hectares 0.49 hectares
Validated 2 June 22 September
Status Granted 4 September Awaiting decision

Together the two plots cover 0.85 hectares and could take up to 16 homes.

Permission in principle settles only three things: the location, the use and the number of homes. Layout, access, design and drainage come later, at a stage called technical details consent. The law limits each application of this kind to nine homes and a site of under one hectare, as the form itself sets out.

The case the applicant makes

The assessment, by the agent Studio Here Ltd, leans on the council’s own decision next door. It says the findings behind the first permission “hold on the Site”.

Its main points are:

  • the land is “grey belt”, because it does not strongly contribute to the Green Belt purposes of checking sprawl, keeping towns apart or protecting historic towns
  • the council cannot show a five-year supply of housing land, with 3.59 years identified in its position statement of 1 July 2026
  • Kemsing’s services are within walking and cycling distance, and the number 6 bus stops on Childsbridge Lane
  • nine homes on the site would be 18 to the hectare, against 19 on the permitted land

The assessment also says the affordable housing “Golden Rules” for Green Belt sites apply only to major development. Major development generally means 10 homes or more. Each of the two applications is for fewer.

The block plan is dated 10 September, six days after the first permission was issued.

Who is applying

The form names the applicant as Mr Chris Haslam. That is the name on the first application, which officers sent to the Development Management Committee “as the applicant is a Sevenoaks District Councillor”. Cllr Chris Haslam represents Kemsing ward. Our report on that decision is here: Childsbridge Lane, Kemsing: 7 Green Belt homes granted.

The form asks whether the applicant is a member or employee of the council. The details given in answer are redacted in the published copy.

The council’s register does not yet say whether officers or the committee will decide the new application. Kemsing Parish Council objected to the first one. It was sent its consultation letter on the new one on 24 September and no reply had been published by 28 September.

What consultees have said so far

Two responses matter at this stage.

Environmental health says its comments “are the same as for 26/01327/PIP”. It asks for a contaminated land assessment and a noise assessment, because “the northern part of the site is close to the M26”. It says both can be dealt with by condition.

The gas pipeline. A high-pressure SGN gas main crosses the site from east to west, as it does the permitted land. The block plan shows a strip three metres either side of it where nothing would be built. SGN has so far sent the council its standard plans and safety advice.

What it means for residents

Anyone can comment. The council’s register gives these dates:

  • consultation expires on Friday 9 October
  • the determination deadline is Tuesday 27 October

To comment, search for 26/02521/PIP on the council’s Public Access portal and use the Comments tab. Our guide to Sevenoaks planning applications explains how the portal works and what counts as a planning objection.

A grant of permission in principle is not a permission to build. No home could be started on either plot until technical details consent is given, and residents can comment again at that stage.

Sources

Image: Childsbridge Lane, Kemsing by Chris Whippet, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph. The photo shows the lane in the village, not the application site.