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Despite significant opposition from the Town Council, a local action group and local residents, an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted planning permission for a much-needed mixed-use town centre regeneration scheme in Swanley, Kent. The Inspector held a 4-day inquiry in June 2019, following an adjournment back in March which resulted in a partial award of costs due to a notification error by the Council. Much of the town centre comprises 2-3 storey blocks built in the 1970s, and regeneration has been an aspiration of Sevenoaks District Council for many years. The Council refused permission, but subsequently withdrew their opposition to the scheme on appeal. The proposal will deliver seven new buildings ranging between 3 and 11 storeys high, comprising 303 flats, retail/commercial floorspace, community floorspace, a multi-storey car park and associated public realm improvements. Sasha White QC and Matthew Fraser acted for the appellant, U+I Group Plc, instructed by Osborne Clarke LLP.
