Land south of Four Elms Road

Overview

Update September 2025 – The developer has now withdrawn this application. We have provided the historical information below for background.

The proposed outline planning application on behalf of Cooper Estates Strategic Land Ltd for a strategic Green Belt site adjacent to Edenbridge town, which was an expansion to an earlier, consented scheme, has now been withdrawn. The land remains an allocation in the Local Plan Regulation 18 (3) consultation.

Background

• In September 2020, an outline planning application (ref. 20/02988/OUT) was submitted, leading to permission in January 2024 for:

  • 340 homes (with affordable housing).

  • A 4-form-entry secondary school.

  • A Scout Group hall.

  • Station car parking.

  • Allotments and infrastructure works.

• Under the S106 agreement, secondary school land was scheduled for release only once 70% of homes are built, meaning the school could be delayed until 2031 or later.

• In response, Cooper Estates and Kent County Council proposed relocating the school closer to Four Elms Road to allow earlier delivery. This required expanding the site area and increasing overall housing numbers.

The revised proposal

The updated plans now include:

• 443 dwellings, including 40% affordable housing (First Homes, shared ownership, and affordable rent).

• Land for a new 4FE (expandable to 6FE) secondary school, located adjacent to Four Elms Road for early delivery.

• Community assets:

  • Youth Centre land plus £200,000 contribution.

  • £100,000 towards upgrading Edenbridge Skate Park.

  • Twin-hall Scout venue land plus £200,000 funding.

• Transport improvements:

  • 36-space car park at Edenbridge Town Station with pedestrian access.

  • £1,000,000 toward station enhancements.

  • 12 parking spaces for Town Station Cottages residents.

• Additional community infrastructure:

  • New allotment plots.

  • New public open spaces, play areas, and green landscaping.

Town Council involvement

As a statutory consultee, Edenbridge Town Council has engaged actively, welcoming the principle of relocating the school, but has raised concerns about increasing housing numbers, flood risk, site access, allotment suitability, sustenance of incentives, and pedestrian safety across Four Elms Road. Detailed feedback was recorded in a formal pre-application response in July 2024.

What next?

Once formally submitted, the planning application will undergo public consultation led by Sevenoaks District Council.