Council looks to build hotel in £18.5m project

Sevenoaks District Council will consider the plan on 18 November

A council in Kent says it is considering building a new hotel to support local businesses, the economy, and to regenerate a town centre.

Sevenoaks District Council's (SDC) proposals would see the construction of a mid-range hotel, with up to 110 rooms and a restaurant, at Bevan Place in Swanley.

If approved, the hotel could be open by November 2028 and the project could cost about £18.5m.

Michael Horwood, SDC's cabinet member for improvement and innovation, said: "It will provide a welcome boost to our local economy, whilst greatly benefiting many of our tourism and hospitality venues in the north of Sevenoaks district."

SDC said the hotel would create at least 21 full-time jobs and that major brands, that would manage the site on behalf of the council, have already shown interest.

Michael Cornish, from GC Motors in the town, said he was against the plan as he had concerns it would at some point be used to house asylum seekers - although that had not been suggested by the council.

Mr Cornish, who said he did not think it would rejuvenate the town, told BBC Radio Kent: "There's nothing to stay here for.

"There's nothing to look at, it's not like Sevenoaks or Tonbridge."

The hotel would be built on the site of a former working man's club in Bevan Place, Swanley

However, local resident Bradley Basket said he was in favour of the hotel as it would create job opportunities.

"There's a distinct decline in the shopping precinct and I think it would be a boost," he added.

The hotel scheme was recommended for approval by the council's improvement and innovation advisory committee on 11 September and its cabinet on 18 September.

The hotel, which would be built on the site of a former working man's club which the council bought in 2015, will be considered by SDC on 18 November.

If approved, the project will progress to an informal public consultation in early 2026, with a planning application submitted later that year.

SDC had opened a hotel on a former council car park close to Sevenoaks Station in July 2018. It is leased to Premier Inn.