Protesters 'mourn' green belt with candles

Sevenoaks District Council has put forward a plan to build more than 17,000 homes and a rugby stadium by 2042

Protesters brought candles and a tractor to "mourn" the green belt outside a Kent council meeting.

Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) was discussing plans to build more than 17,000 homes and a rugby stadium in the area by 2042 on Tuesday evening.

The protesters raised concerns about transport links, infrastructure and protecting green belt land.

A SDC spokesperson said: "We are currently consulting on the new Local Plan, which includes potential locations for new homes to meet the government's significantly increased housing targets."

Outside SDC's building, Green group leader Laura Manston called the consultation process a "brief nod" to the public.

"What we need is to fill our empty homes, build affordable homes and social housing, to build on brown belt land and to create sustainable communities with sufficient infrastructure and above all to protect our natural environment," she said.

Plans include a 28,000 capacity stadium for Wasps Rugby Football Club

Inside at the meeting, similar concerns were being raised by councillors, many of whom alluded to government housing targets as the reason.

SDC is proposing two development plans, both of which involve building on newly termed "grey belt" land, including a 28,000 seat stadium for Wasps Rugby Football Club.

Grey belt land refers to areas that would have been designated "green belt" but have been previously developed or do not support some of the key purposes of the green belt designation.

The council spokesperson added: "The government has instructed us to identify land for 1,145 new homes every year, a 63% increase on the current target.

"We welcome residents' views on the draft proposals, and they can find out more about the new Local Plan online or by attending one of our in-person events taking place across the district."

SDC's consultation which includes 30 pop-up events will close on 11 December.