Council issues further warning on sale of green belt land

Sevenoaks District Council is issuing a further warning to people thinking about buying plots of land in the green belt for housing that such sites are unlikely gain planning permission.

Several new green belt sites have been offered for sale by property developers as individual plots under the premise that the new land owners can get planning permission to build a house or carry out other developments on the site.

Most recently it came to the Council's attention that Meadowview in Hextable and land at Greetcourt Road, Crockenhill have been offered for sale in this way.

However, all green belt sites across the country are protected by planning policies, which aim to prevent urban development by keeping the land permanently open, and as a consequence, any green belt site is extremely unlikely to get planning permission for any kind of inappropriate development.

The Council is currently examining all available options to ensure that the land is kept open and protected.

Local authorities have the power to serve an 'article IV' direction, which severely restricts the activities that can be carried out on the land without planning permission. These are now in place at both sites in Hextable and Crockenhill to prevent caravans and fences being put up on site.

Efforts are being made to inform potential buyers that they would essentially be buying agricultural land that cannot be developed. Also, advisory notices have been put up at some sites.

Cllr Jill Davison, the Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for planning, says: "We are concerned about unsuspecting people who buy these plots thinking they could be developed for housing. I would like to make it very clear that we are committed to protecting the green belt and the character of the District. Any proposal to develop the green belt is extremely unlikely to get planning permission and should anyone choose to develop such sites without permission, the Council will, as it has in the past, take all action necessary, including legal action, to protect these valuable sites."

Anyone thinking about buying a plot of land who would like more information about its status and the possibility of developing it, should call the Council on 01732 227000 and ask for the Development Control section or e-mail planning.comments@sevenoaks.gov.uk