A Farningham forestry building used by the council itself was built with an office and a first floor, and now needs consent. Plus the week's meetings.

A forestry building off Calfstock Lane in Farningham was put up differently from the plans the council approved in 2020. It now needs planning permission after the event. The district council’s planning committee decides on Thursday 12 November. (Sevenoaks District Council, Development Management Committee, 12 November 2026)

The building is used by the council itself for its forestry work. Officers recommend approval.

It is one of only two applications on Thursday’s agenda. Both are there because of who applied, not because councillors called them in. That route closed on 31 October, as we reported last week.

Thursday 12 November: the Farningham forestry building

The site is Little Thyme, a parcel of land south of Calfstock Lane. The edge of Farningham Wood is about 250 metres away. (Sevenoaks District Council, officers’ report on 26/01949/FUL)

The council granted a replacement forestry storage building there in October 2020. The building that went up is in the same place and has the same outside dimensions. The officers’ report says it differs in these ways:

  • windows on the ground and first floors, and rooflights
  • a first floor inside the roof space
  • a lobby, staff facilities, a bathroom and an office
  • a group meeting area and a staff training area
  • a workshop, vehicle storage and storage areas

The 2020 scheme had one pedestrian door and two large barn doors. The report says the extra glazing reflects uses such as team meetings and training for forestry workers.

Timeline of planning decisions at Little Thyme, Calfstock Lane, Farningham: a lawful use certificate for a forestry workshop and store in July 2003, a replacement forestry building granted in October 2020, a retrospective application in 2026 for the building as built with an office, meeting and training areas, and a committee decision due on 12 November 2026 with officers recommending approval.
The site's planning history, from the officers' report. Graphic by Sevenoaks Online
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Why it is at committee

The application goes to councillors because the applicant works for the council. The report says the applicant is employed as a Senior Countryside Ranger, a role that includes forestry work. The council’s Strategic Head of Direct Services confirmed the building is used by the council for its forestry operations.

What objectors and consultees said

One person has written two letters of objection. Their points include:

  • the building being put up without permission
  • traffic and vehicle access
  • the lawful use of the building and how it is being used now
  • the internal layout and what the rooms are for
  • ecology and light spill

Farningham Parish Council made no comment. The council’s environmental health team did not object. Gas network SGN first lodged a formal objection because high-pressure pipelines run near the site. It then said the pipeline must be located exactly before any work starts.

What officers concluded

Officers say a forestry building is allowed in the Green Belt, and the other uses are ancillary to the forestry. They also looked at whether the unauthorised work was intentional, which would count heavily against it. The report says the evidence does not meet that “high evidential burden”. It points out that a tree protection condition on the 2020 permission was discharged, which suggests an intention to follow the rules.

The recommended conditions include using the building only for forestry, keeping the electric vehicle charging point and bat boxes, and submitting details of the outside lighting within three months.

Thursday 12 November: 84 Oakhill Road

The second item is Chenies, 84 Oakhill Road, Sevenoaks. It is there because the applicant is a district councillor. (Sevenoaks District Council, officers’ report on 26/01719/CONVAR)

The council granted facade changes, internal remodelling and a garage conversion at the house in May 2026. This application changes the approved drawings, cladding and windows. Sevenoaks Town Council recommended approval and no one else has commented. Officers recommend approval, with one first-floor window obscure-glazed.

Tuesday 10 November: the Rising Sun review

The licensing review of the Rising Sun in Twitton, near Otford, is listed for a hearing at 10.30am on Tuesday 10 November. It was first listed for 27 October, and the council has published no decision from that date. (Sevenoaks District Council, Licensing Hearing, 10 November 2026)

The council’s noise team asked for the review. It wants conditions including no outdoor amplified music and the garden closed at 9pm. Kent Police supports the review, and the licence holder objects to the conditions sought. We set out both sides in our report on the review.

A second licensing hearing at 2pm is on an application to transfer a premises licence. The council has restricted the papers and the item from the public. (Sevenoaks District Council, Licensing Hearing, 10 November 2026, 2pm)

Tuesday 10 November: the budget

The Finance and Investment Advisory Committee meets at 7pm. It discusses the first 2027/28 budget report, which assumes the district’s Band D charge rises £7.74 to £266.22. We covered the papers in last week’s council preview.

Coming up

Date Meeting Time
Tuesday 17 November Improvement and Innovation Advisory Committee Cancelled
Thursday 19 November Cabinet 7pm
Tuesday 24 November Cleaner and Greener Advisory Committee 7pm
Thursday 26 November Audit Committee 7pm
Tuesday 1 December Full Council 7pm

The council says Cabinet’s agenda will appear in the week before the meeting. Cabinet makes the final decision on the parish asset transfers on 19 November. (Sevenoaks District Council, meetings calendar)

What it means for you

All the meetings are held in the Council Chamber on Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, and are open to the public except for restricted items. Democratic Services can be reached on 01732 227165 or at democratic.services@sevenoaks.gov.uk.

You can read both applications, and see any new comments, on the council’s planning portal by searching 26/01949/FUL or 26/01719/CONVAR. Our guide to planning applications in Sevenoaks explains how to comment on schemes near you.

Sources

Image: Sevenoaks District Council Offices by Richard Kelly, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Graphic by Sevenoaks Online.