Residents attack council's proposals to build 4,500 homes in Swanley and Hextable

Mr Michael Jenkins, 71, has lived in Swanley for the past 40 years and is against Sevenoaks District Council’s Swanley and Hextable Master Vision plan.

The council’s preferred program includes the relocation of the train station and up to 4,500 homes erected in the Swanley area: 1,500 new homes in the town centre and a further 3,000 family homes in a new Swanley Garden Village.

Plans are in place to move Swanley train station to allow better access to and from London

Mr Jenkins and his colleagues are warning residents about what they feel are the potential pitfalls of the project.

Speaking to News Shopper Mr Jenkins said: “Many of my neighbours and friends have lived in Swanley for many, many years and, although it's not perfect, I love the way it is.

“Is it always Swanley that is selected for anything that Sevenoaks does not want?

“Is Sevenoaks saying `Not in My Back Yard` yet again?

“I urge readers to go to see what Sevenoaks vision is for us in Swanley.”

He added: “Why do Sevenoaks want to build on swathes of our Green Belt and agricultural land when residents have overwhelmingly stated that they want to see their Green Belt and open spaces retained?

“Is Swanley destined to lose Green Belt land in order to be the major area provider of affordable housing for the whole of Sevenoaks?”

Scenario Three is favoured by Sevenoaks District Council 

Sevenoaks District Council has condoned the most radical change to the area called Scenario 3 whereby, “this scenario in particular will need to be supported by significant greenbelt release and housing expansion to attract retail and leisure investors, and to fund infrastructure improvements.”

It also entails moving the train station closer to the centre of town as part of a £100m package.

Swanley and Hextable combined makes up the largest population within the Sevenoaks District Council, accounting for 18 per cent of the total area.

The current population of Swanley is 20,318 according to the 2011 census – 16,226 of whom live in Swanley and 4,092 in Hextable.

Sevenoaks Council’s Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) projects that the population of Sevenoaks as a whole will increase from 117,035 in 2013 to 136,504 in 2033.

According to the district council, local estate agents believe the main sources of demand are coming from both local and London-based commuters including Peckham, Lewisham, New Cross, and Brixton.

The new influx of residents worries Mr Jenkins, who feels that the people of Swanley will be left out.

“Everyone is up in arms about it," Mr Jenkins said, “It has been roughshod.

“We have not been asked but we have been told it is happening.

“Swanley is very rural.

“It will turn into a large town which the majority of people do not want.”

Possible greenhouse-style buildings for a new Swanley Garden Village, inspired by a Danish design

Mr Jenkins and his associates have approximately 700 signatures in a newly created petition which can be signed by emailing michael.e.jenkins@btinternet.com

In response to the resident’s concerns a council spokesman said: “New developments are already coming forward and we want to make sure Swanley and Hextable residents get the improvements they want as well.

“If the Master Vision is agreed, home builders and developers would make a significant financial contribution towards these improvements.

“Without new homes, these improvements are unlikely to happen.

“There is a need for different types of housing so that older people can remain in the communities they have lived in all their lives and new homes are built that young people can afford.

“But there also is a need for better leisure and health facilities, places to go in the evenings, better public transport and plans to reduce congestion, whilst protecting green spaces.

“If a Swanley Garden Village was to come forward, this would be at a location put forward as part of our Call for Sites, which is currently in the Green Belt.

“But nothing has been decided or approved.”

The master vision survey has been sent to homes and businesses or can be filled out online at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/swanley&hextable before November 2.