General Comments on the proposed Sevenoaks District Draft Local Plan.
Fawkham is a small rural settlement comprising of 220 houses and just over 500 people and it is classed
by Sevenoaks District Council as a hamlet. It also contains the conservation area of Baldwins Green.
Given this classification, the Council is concerned that Sevenoaks District Council have seen the need
to include 4 developments in the Sevenoaks District Draft Local Plan all of which have potentially
severe negative impact on the village of Fawkham. If all of these developments are implemented it
would mean 876 new houses being built and approx. 2014 new residents coming into the area. All in
an area that is classed as a hamlet. Fawkham Parish Council understand the need to develop new housing
and are not opposed to considered development that fits within existing infrastructures. It is the view of
the Council there is clearly insufficient existing infrastructure or facilities to support the large-scale
development outlined in the Sevenoaks District Draft Local Plan Consultation July 2018. Were the
proposed developments to be implemented, the rural nature and identity of Fawkham will be forever  changed and in all probability Fawkham would be merged into the existing settlements of Longfield and Hartley.
Given the potential impact of the proposed developments upon Fawkham, the Council is surprised at
the lack of effective consultation by Sevenoaks District Council.
Consultation should be a meaningful two-way dialogue to gain the views of the community. Sevenoaks
District Council has clearly failed in this endeavour. The singular consultation was held during the
summer holiday period and has proven difficult for everyone to fully engage in the consultation process.
Were Sevenoaks District Council intent in having a meaningful consultation, the consultation period
should have lasted until at least mid-October to give everyone an opportunity to understand and respond.
In conclusion Fawkham Parish Council believe that the proposed development MX52 & MX53 should
not be included in the local plan as there is insufficient existing infrastructure to justify such a large
development and the developer has failed to meet the requirement of exceptional circumstances as
defined by SDC.