Plans to regenerate Sevenoaks High Street begin

Sevenoaks District and Kent County councils will work together on the scheme

Plans are to be drawn up regenerate part of Sevenoaks.

Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council have agreed to spend £435,000 on feasibility studies to determine the best use of land to the east of the High Street.

The councils already own all of the buildings and assets on the land.

Ideas being considered include a new leisure facility, a combined library, art gallery, museum and adult education centre, improved pedestrian links to Knole Park, a market hall and a hotel to support the local economy.

Some studies have already been done, with one finding a limited number of hotels in the area, particularly high-end hotels.

The former M & Co building in the High Street is being considered as a cultural and creative hall, while a local leisure centre could be replaced with one that is more modern and environmentally friendly.

A former shop in the High Street could become a cultural and creative hall

Michael Horwood, Sevenoaks district council’s cabinet member for innovation and Improvement, said: “We’re extremely excited about this project.

"It will support our local economy and bring new jobs and visitors to the town by offering a better range of activities, improvements to the cultural offer and a new, quality hotel.

"Sevenoaks is not only one of the county's most desirable places to live, but has been ranked by a recent independent study as one of the best performing high streets anywhere in the country.

"We believe this project will keep the town at the forefront, increasing its vitality and protecting its unique character.”