1

The Sevenoaks Society

for the conservation and improvement of the town

December 2015

www.sevenoakssociety.org.uk 2

President Sir Michael Harrison

Vice Presidents

AS Ford, R Harcourt, E Keys, M Nairne, Mrs A Rogers, P Rogers, BA Walker

Committee

Chairman Vice-Chairman Publicity Officer DAVID GAMBLE JOHN EDGE KEITH WADE Little Brittains, 15, The Drive Little Finches Brittains Lane Sevenoaks TN12 2AB Morleys Road Sevenoaks TN13 2JW 01732 454752 Sevenoaks Weald TN14 6QY 01732 458898 01732 451223

Honorary Treasurer Honorary Secretary Newsletter Editor RICHARD BAXTER TIM PEARCE MAREE WALKER 7, The Drive Flat 3 Clarendon Court Ormiston East Sevenoaks TN13 3AB 9 Granville Road Brittains Lane 01732 460326 Sevenoaks TN13 1ES Sevenoaks TN13 2NF 01732 465110 01732 458456

Further Committee Members Peter Bennellick Roger FitzGerald RIBA Charles George David Green Nicholas White 3

Index

INTRODUCTION Tim Pearce 4 CHAIRMAN ’S REPORT David Gamble 5 FRANK M ARSHALL A WARD John Edge 7 LOCAL L IST REPORT Michael Harrison 11 TREE E XHIBITIONS Keith Wade 14 TOWNSCAPE AND P LANNING G ROUP Tim Pearce 21 WALKS Nick White 24 TALKS Phyllis Styles 25 CONSERVATION C OUNCIL Charles George 26 MEMBERSHIP R EPORT Tim Pearce 27 BOOK R EVIEW Tim Pearce 27 4

INTRODUCTION Maree Walker is taking time-out in moving to East Anglia next year and Australia on this edition and we we wish them all good wishes for thank her most warmly for her work their future there. on the Newsletter over the last few Both were warmly thanked at the years. Our guest editor is Victoria AGM in October, and the details of Baxter and thanks to her for the new appointments and the new stepping in. The copy has been committee can be found in the collated by the Secretary. Chairman’s report. We are always enormously grateful Please note the comments on p.27 to all those who volunteer to help about subscriptions. Most members running the Sevenoaks Society and are punctilious in paying their this year we must give special thanks subscriptions, but some fifty or so of to Peter Moss and to Phyllis Styles, you, who are paying by Standing who have been stalwart supporters Order have not put your payments for many years. Peter Moss has been up to meet the new costs. We will be Chairman of the Townscape and writing to you individually. Planning Group and has been leading our opinions on development In this edition, we publish a report proposals with great skill and insight. from Keith Wade on the continuing His understanding of good urban success of the Tree Exhibition held at design was always to the forefront Knole in 2014. This year, it has been and especially in 2014, when we shown to the public at Riverhill were engaged with SDC on all the House and Lullingstone and privately issues relating to parking. We wish as part of an educational programme Peter and Cherry, also a former at the New School at West Heath. Committee member, all the best in The Exhibition has been a great the future. success for the Society and we thank Keith most warmly for his enormous Phyllis Styles has managed the dedication to it. Please let us know if membership list with great care and there are other venues where it attention for many years. This is not would be welcome in the future. an easy job as our members, bless them, do not always tell us when We are always on the look-out for they have moved, nor do they new members of the Committee. If remember to put up their you would like to make a fuller subscription by standing order to commitment to running the Society meet any rises which may occur. please contact David Gamble. Phyllis and her husband will be Tim Pearce 5

CHAIRMAN ’S R EPORT Committee Changes Burrow, who has been our At the AGM there were representative on the Sevenoaks several changes to the Executive Town Centre Partnership also stood Committee. Tim Pearce, at his down at the AGM and again we are request, relinquished the Vice very grateful for all her efforts on Chairman position and has taken up the Society’s behalf. the role of Honorary Secretary with special responsibilities for Recruitment and how you can help membership and the website. He will We have seen numbers rise still retain his position on the slightly over the last few months Townscape and Planning Group which is due in large part to the (TPG) providing continuity and wise efforts of Keith Wade and the Tree advice. My thanks to him especially Exhibition team. Please think who for all his help over the last 6 years. amongst your friends have an The Vice Chairmanship has now interest in the conservation and passed to John Edge who is a improvement of the town and chartered surveyor by profession encourage them to join. It is not a and who will also take on the great deal of money to find and it Chairmanship of the TPG. John has helps us fund our activities. The been on the committee for 6 years, more members we have the more and has been responsible since its notice we can command. Our work inception for the Frank Marshall on the Local List places us in the award and for getting us forefront of Kent civic societies and sponsorship. He is one of the local with more members we can do even list volunteers and I am delighted he better. has accepted the Vice Chairman post. Tree Exhibitions (see pp 14-20) We sadly say goodbye to a Keith Wade and Victoria long-standing membership secretary Granville-Baxter’s most successful in Phyllis Styles who has been a great exhibition the Remarkable Trees of support to the Society in this Sevenoaks continued to draw important role as well as her crowds at Riverhill House, and then reporting of the Society’s events. Lullingstone Castle. Finally it was set Peter Moss, the previous chair of the up at the New School at West Heath TPG is also leaving the committee for the benefit of the pupils and was and again our thanks to him for all greatly appreciated. Our thanks to his efforts especially on the more the volunteers who moved the contentious planning issues. Pauline exhibition stands and boards from 6

CHAIRMAN ’S R EPORT ( CONT ’D) venue to venue like a travelling the Oakeley Walks booklets. The circus and to David Checkley and complete revision of books 1-4 Colin from the Baptist Church and should be available next year. the use of the Vine Evangelical Van.

Local List (see pp 12-13) The end of the first tranche is in sight and we expect to be able to deliver the results of two years of researching, surveying and selecting to Sevenoaks District Council in the first quarter of 2016. This will then be taken out to public consultation and a final approval by the Council is Sevenoaks Society stall at the Summer Festival expected by the end of the year. Sevenoaks Town Council has very Events generously again sponsored our Our stall at the Sevenoaks efforts and we are very thankful for Summer Fayre was well attended. their support. Thanks to all those who came to man it during the day. The date next Website year is June 18 th . We had another Our new website has been launched excellent talk from Jonathan Fenner www.sevenoakssociety.co.uk. Please in May (See pp 25). As Steven have look at it and send us your Dedman has resigned from Knole, comments, but please be aware also we invited Anthony Lancaster, Chief that it is still in process of Planning Manager of SDC, to give a development and we are learning talk after the AGM on the planning how best to use it. Some sections are issues confronting Sevenoaks in the incomplete at present. We are most future. This was well-received and grateful to Paul Furth, our prompted many questions. Richard webmaster, for all his advice and Hill, the new Senior Project Manager work. at Knole, will tell us how things are going there on March 2 nd next year. Walks (see pp 24-25) At the time of writing, we are We are grateful as ever to looking forward to welcoming Nicky Nick White for all that he does for Biddall from KCC to tell us about our walks programme and in revising Kentish footpaths. 7

THE F RANK M ARSHALL A WARD 2015 In 2013, an award was created in station foyer, a modernist house memory of the Late Frank Marshall, squeezed into a small gap in the High who single-handedly monitored Street, the transformed rear planning policy, applications and courtyard in The Shambles, an planning conditions in Sevenoaks for extensively modernised house, and - over a quarter of a century, on the winner of the Award - the behalf of the Society and for the extension to The Vine restaurant in benefit of the people of the town. an important gateway location to That Frank has been replaced by a the town and within a sensitive committee of six, the Society’s Conservation Area. Townscape & Planning Group, says it This year, the judging panel was all! The Society wished this to be a made up of Rebecca Lamb, the biennial award to support good recently-appointed local design and town improvement, Conservation Officer and as such an contributing to the townscape over important influence on the town’s the previous two years. landscape, Roger FitzGerald, So, in 2013 and again this year, London-based architect and local members of the Society were invited resident as well as a committee to nominate any improved site, area member of the Society, and myself, a or facet of the town that was chartered surveyor. I want to thank considered to merit recognition. them both for their time and Examples include a well-designed valuable input. new building, a refurbished The nominated list (the only courtyard, an attractive planting nominations, not a shortlist as such) scheme, a renovated facade, an this year was less diverse, and was upgraded walkway, an art dominated by residential schemes. installation, and so on. These needed Sevenoaks, like all towns close to the to be within the boundary capital and surrounded by the Green administered by the Sevenoaks Belt, is under immense pressure, but Town Council. the Government’s directive that Two years ago, when this Award was sustainable development should be inaugurated, the shortlist was viewed positively does not mean interesting, diverse and even that good design need become challenging. The nominated redundant. The Panel did, Improvements included a nonetheless, come up with a worthy contemporary vestibule on the front winner. of a traditionally built church, the These were the candidates: extension to the Sevenoaks railway 8

THE F RANK M ARSHALL A WARD 2015 N OMINEES

1 2

Morewood Close The Edge, Mount Harry Road/ Bradbourne Park Road This development replaced the for- This is not included on the list just mer Police Station. It comprises a because we share the same name! total of 55 flats in four blocks, one This building occupies an important four-storey, two three-storey and corner site at the junction of two one two-story. The design produces roads, in a highly visible location light, quite elegant architecture, a along the road from Sevenoaks Sta- not overcrowded scheme, as well as tion. The site used to be tree- cov- much-needed flat accommodation ered and leafy. The block of 11 flats for the town. Red brick, light wood, is built on ground, which is mostly cream render, grey windows and covered car parking, and three upper balconies. Glazed balconies can tend floors on a sloping site. Access to the to become outside storage areas, flats is from the right. The elevations which may detract from the look. are mainly off-white render, set off The centrally placed car parking by brushed steel and glazed balco- could usefully have been put to the nies, and dark grey window sur- sides, which would have provided rounds. The windows are curiously uninterrupted garden views to resi- small. The question is whether this dents. building does real justice to the site’s The Affordable Housing element was prominent position. 40 percent, ie. 22 flats, which is a positive social feature.

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THE F RANK M ARSHALL A WARD 2015 N OMINEES

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28 South Park Tricon House, Old Coffee House Yard, London Road This site was formerly occupied by a This building lies to the rear of the Christian Scientist church and has street frontage and is accessed been redeveloped as four residential through an archway from London detached houses. These comprise Road. It was originally a tired-looking Gainsborough House (on the left of two-storey 1960s building with brick the photograph), a generic tradi- elevations on ground floor and mod- tional building not evidently in local ern hung-tile on first floor. The prop- style, Amherst House (on the right) erty has been refurbished, reclad which is in modern style, and two and an additional residential apart- traditional style houses to the rear. ment added as a second floor. The The mix of architectural presentation all-grey cladding is of zinc and the to the road does not sit easily, and roofline treatment adds interest. It is the garage and lean-to in the middle functional and contemporary. The is oddly arranged (a sort of haphaz- appearance does not conflict with ard-chic?). neighbouring buildings which are an eclectic collection including the Stag Theatre complex, retail rear exten- sions and dated Rockdale homes, as well as overlooking the large public car park to the rear. A typical 1960s building has been transformed in a way that succeeds.

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THE F RANK M ARSHALL A WARD 2015 N OMINEES

5 6

46 South Park Southgate Place, South Park

This is a two-storey extension added This development of seven to the side of a late-Victorian house, residential flats is located behind the which also attaches to the Driving South Park Medical Practice. It is Test Centre fronting Argyle Road, all built on four floors under flat roof, on a triangular corner site. The mainly of red brick, with light stone extension matches well in terms of horizontal courses, and large materials used, with good detailing. generous French windows and It provides four flats. However, the glazed balconies with dark grey whole composition is somewhat surrounds facing west. To the rear, confusing, and the appearance of the east elevation backs onto the the new does not harmonise easily Council car park. Of all the “new with the worn state of repair of the builds”, this probably has most to old. commend it.

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THE F RANK M ARSHALL A WARD 2015 N OMINEES

7 The Winner was the refurbished

1960s building

Tricon House in Old Coffee House Yard. The Architect was Chris Scarr of CDMS Partners Ltd, based in Brighton, and The Developer was Hambridge Homes, based in Sevenoaks. James Overton of Hambridge Green Wall, M&S Building – on the Homes accepted from the London Road frontage. Society President, Sir Michael

The Panel considered this Harrison, the Award, which is a nomination but discounted it as it Plaque inscribed “The Frank forms part only of a larger building. Marshall Award for Townscape The whole building was not thought Improvement 2015”. to warrant inclusion. However, the wall does form an interesting solution to a massive frontage which See another image of the winner is broken up by vertical and on the back cover horizontal contrasting materials and colours. Continuing maintenance of this greenery is essential to the building’s integration into the street scene.

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LOCAL L IST R EPORT The Sevenoaks local listing project is buildings and other assets in those reputedly the first of its kind in Kent roads comply with the Selection as an example of the voluntary Criteria which were devised by the sector helping the District Council to PMT and which were approved by compile a list of locally valued the District Council. So far, about buildings (and other miscellaneous 200 of the 300 roads have been items such as railings, post-boxes, surveyed. lamp posts etc), all of which are described by Historic England in The project is assisted by a splendid policy documents as ‘heritage team of around 20 volunteers who assets’, but are not actually listed by help with the historical research and them. The District Council did not, who undertake the surveying of the and does not, have the resources to roads and the photographing and do the necessary work to compile recording of buildings of interest. If such a list, so the Sevenoaks Society anybody else would be interested in stepped in and offered to do the leg volunteering to take part in the work for the District Council. project, whether by carrying out Otherwise, there was no reasonable historical research on the roads to prospect of Sevenoaks having a local be covered or by surveying them, list, the purpose of which is to help please get in touch with David to ensure that the buildings and Gamble whose contact details can other artefacts which residents of be found at the beginning of this the town admire and cherish are Newsletter. protected and conserved. It is a large project which will take A Project Management Team (‘PMT’) some time to complete so the work was formed consisting of Sir Michael has been divided into two phases or Harrison (the Society’s President), tranches. The first tranche consists David Gamble (the Society’s of 3 of the 6 wards covering the Chairman), John Stambollouian (the town of Sevenoaks. Those 3 wards project leader), Geraldine Tucker are the Town Centre Ward, St John’s (historical research leader) and Nick Ward and Kippington Ward. Umney (data management). All of the assets identified by the The project covers the town of volunteer surveyors are put before Sevenoaks which consists of 6 wards. an independent Selection Panel That means that approximately 300 which consists of a representative roads (or parts of roads) will have to from Historic England, a be surveyed to assess whether the representative from Kent County 13

Council Conservation Department, Meanwhile, immediately following the District Council Conservation the handover of the first tranche to Officer, a representative of the Town the District Council in about March Council (who chairs the Panel), a 2016, work will commence on the local architect and a local historian. second tranche consisting of the remaining 3 town wards. It is too So far, 489 assets have been put early to say how long the second forward by the surveyors as suitable tranche will take but, as the system for local listing. Of those, 281 were is now ‘well oiled’ and as the first accepted by the Selection Panel, 174 tranche covered the town centre were rejected and 34 were deferred which is where most of the older pending further investigation. There assets are to be found, it is will be two more meetings of the envisaged that the second tranche Selection Panel, one in November may not take as long as the first one. and the other early in the New Year, before the results of the first tranche None of all this would be possible are handed over to the District without the sterling work done by Council, probably in March 2016. the historical researchers and the surveyors, whose contribution has The District Council will then carry been immense. Similarly, the out a public consultation exercise on Selection Panel, who are busy those results, including notifying the people, have been unstinting in their owners/occupiers of assets support and in the time they have proposed to be included in the local given to the project. The PMT is list. Following public consultation, enormously grateful to all of those the resulting list of assets will be people. included in a formally adopted document known as a Finally, the Sevenoaks Town Council Supplementary Planning Document has also been very supportive of the (‘SPD’). The matters to be included in project. It has made grants to cover the SPD are currently under incidental costs of the project and it discussion between the PMT and the has allowed the Council Chamber to District Council but, if there is be used free of charge for meetings subsequently a planning application of the Selection Panel and for some to alter or demolish an asset in the workshops. The Sevenoaks Society is local list, it will be a material very grateful to the Town Council for consideration that the asset is its support. identified in the local list having been through the above mentioned procedure. Michael Harrison 14

“T HE R EMARKABLE T REES OF S EVENOAKS ”: 2015 E XHIBITIONS

Many people told us of their grounds. And we were particularly disappointment at missing the pleased when The New School at exhibition held last autumn at Knole West Heath also requested that we - or said that they would like to see it hold the exhibition there so that again. So we were delighted when their students could use the material we were invited by Riverhill for a variety of educational Himalayan Gardens and Lullingstone purposes. Castle to mount it once more in their Riverhill Himalayan Gardens The Riverhill exhibition in June was the battle aged just 18. It is a County timed to coincide with the Champion with a towering height of commemoration of the 200 th 32m. anniversary of the Battle of A reception was held during the Waterloo – and the garden’s exhibition on 14 th June to “Waterloo Cedar”. This magnificent commemorate the tree’s planting Lebanese cedar was planted in 1815 and to honour the Buckley’s son, by the Buckley family, tenants of with the Right Honourable Michael Riverhill House, in memory of their Fallon, Defence Secretary and MP for only son, Henry, who was killed in Sevenoaks as the guest of honour.

Michael Fallon addresses guests beneath The The Gardens’ Dawn Redwood Waterloo Cedar 15

The Rogers family have lived at seed was being distributed to Riverhill since 1840. John Rogers, a arboreta and nurseries throughout friend of Charles Darwin, was one of the world. the great Victorian plant-hunters, sponsoring expeditions to far-flung The Riverhill Dawn Redwood was lands to discover rare and exotic acquired by Evelyn Rogers in 1948 specimens. Later generations when she saw it being exhibited by continued the tradition. Many of the The Arnold Arboretum, the sponsors fine trees and shrubs to be seen in of the expedition the year before. So the grounds today are originals it is one of the first to be planted in grown from seed or saplings shortly the country. Although its future is after their introduction to England. secure since it is now widespread as Take the Gardens’ Dawn Redwood an ornamental tree, like many other for example: it is a “living fossil” and species it is still threatened by its story is extraordinary. Once one logging in its natural habitat. of the most widespread tree species in the Northern hemisphere, this The Redwood and other trees in the deciduous conifer was known only gardens remarkable for their history, through fossils and was believed to age, size, botanical importance or have been extinct for 3 million years just their sheer beauty were – until its discovery in a remote area featured in new material prepared in South-west China and for the Riverhill event, together with identification as Metasequoia in the stories of the intrepid plant- 1946. In a determined effort to hunters who risked life and limb to preserve the species, an expedition bring back for us seeds of the many was mounted and by Christmas 1947 trees we now take for granted. 16

“The Remarkable Trees of Sevenoaks”: 2015 Exhibitions cont.

Lullingstone Castle

The Great Hall and Library provided featured trees for themselves and to a splendid setting for the displays join in tours led by Tom and and exhibits at Lullingstone Castle in enlivened by his remarkable July and August. Lullingstone is of knowledge, fascinating tales and course home to Tom Hart Dyke’s inimitable enthusiasm. World Garden of Plants – a unique garden created after his kidnap Tom is the twentieth generation of ordeal in Colombia in 2000. Laid out his family to live on the estate. The in the shape of the world, it contains present Manor House and some 8,000 plants and trees from all Gatehouse, which overlook a over the globe, some of which have stunning 15-acre lake, were built in been collected on his own plant- 1497 and have been home to the hunting expeditions. same family ever since. Visitors were able to see some of the

The Great Hall at Lullingstone

Additional material was also and any stories associated with prepared for this event: further them. research was conducted to identify, record and photograph the most The Castle grounds contain many notable trees in Lullingstone Park, fine trees, including magnificent 18 th the World Garden and the Castle century Lebanese Cedars and the estate – and to discover their history national collection of eucalyptus. 17

Lullingstone Country Park is There is a strong royal connection internationally important for its with Lullingstone: as well as Henry, ancient trees - over 300 oak, beech, Queen Anne was a regular visitor. ash, hornbeam and sweet chestnut. The Castle was home to a famous Above is one of the finest ancient silk farm which produced silk for oak pollards: “The Henry VIII Oak”. Queen Elizabeth II's coronation Henry was an occasional visitor to robes and wedding dress. When the Lullingstone for the deer coursing in farm ran short of mulberry leaves for the Park and jousting at the castle, its silkworms, Riverhill House was owned by his close friend Sir John able to step in and provide several Peche - and no doubt for its use as buckets of leaves - from a tree that a stop-over in his pursuit of Anne has recently been rediscovered. Boleyn at Hever. With a girth of 8.4m the tree almost certainly pre- The exhibition closed with a dates his reign. Of the 92 oaks in reception for members of the Kent recorded with a girth over 6m, Society’s Executive Committee, 18 are found in Lullingstone – more helpers, supporters and other than any other location in the guests, followed by a specially county. A tree expert’s count of the arranged further guided tour from 40 rings available produced a Tom. It was a fitting and well- germination date of AD997 for the received end to the whole sequence oldest oak in the Park. of public exhibitions.

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“The Remarkable Trees of Sevenoaks”: 2015 Exhibitions cont.

Reception at Lullingstone for members of the Society’s Executive Committee Photograph by Bob Ogley

Comments in the Visitors’ Book and on the exhibition to the judges of in conversations at both exhibitions “South & South East in Bloom” in July were again extremely and one of our photographs was complimentary, and the two venues used in the Council’s submission. were delighted with their success. Once more the exhibitions helped to We received excellent coverage in raise the Society’s profile - and to The Sevenoaks Chronicle, with make a broader constituency more several related articles by Bob Ogley. familiar with our existence and The Society was invited by Sevenoaks activities. Like Knole they also led to Town Council to give a presentation an increase in membership. 19

The New School at West Heath .

Although not open to the public, this glory – but they still look spectacular exhibition in September was in spring: particularly pleasing as the material was used for a variety of educational and development purposes, linking it to the students’ curricula and specially devised projects. We regard this as an important legacy of the exhibition and we would encourage other interested schools or institutions to contact us.

The main school building was originally Ash Grove - built around 1764 for Captain John Smith, a soldier and friend of Lord George Sackville. The grounds contain many fine specimen trees and remnants of former grand gardens, especially the American Garden with its magnificent rhododendrons and azaleas, probably dating from the Four cherry trees in the grounds 1790s and once celebrated as being mark events in the life of Diana, the highest specimens in England. Princess of Wales, who attended the Some were said to be over 46 feet school from 1973 – 1977. They tall. A 1908 painting by local artist commemorate her engagement and and photographer Charles Essenhigh marriage, and the birth of Princes Corke shows them in their former William and Harry. 20

“The Remarkable Trees of Sevenoaks”: 2015 Exhibitions cont.

In Conclusion

Although the exhibitions are now at Once more I must express my thanks an end, our work continues. We to all those who have helped in this have expressed our concern at a project: it has been a remarkable proposal to create an access drive experience and I am personally through the iconic set of roadside delighted with its success. There is oaks south of the White Hart Inn. no doubt that the exhibitions have We receive emails and phone calls achieved their aims of not just about other trees that may be at risk showcasing our trees and woodlands or are of value and interest. And we and commemorating our are working with the Kent Heritage eponymous oaks, but more Trees Project to provide access to importantly raising awareness of the vast amount of data and their significance both locally and in photographs that the project has general, and highlighting the vital generated, and to support volunteer need to nurture and protect them as teams to document officially the an essential, life-enhancing part of most important in our locality. The our heritage and environment. White Hart oaks have now been classified as Heritage Trees – of As many visitors have told us, the considerable importance to the exhibitions has made men, women community. and children look at our trees in a new light, to seek them out and to The research continues: for example study them, to appreciate their we are trying to discover the history beauty, the pleasure they bring, the of the avenue of oaks that once stories they have to tell - and to linked Ash Grove with Park Place recognise their function, uses and (now part of Sevenoaks School). If immeasurable value in our world of anyone has any information that haste, strife and change. may help, please let us know. Keith Wade October 2015 21

TOWNSCAPE AND P LANNING G ROUP REPORT D ECEMBER 2015

The two most recent proposals, on • The Area has some distinctive which we have commented, are of houses of individual character and particular interest. The first is still merit. The two proposed houses are pending, but the second is no longer not of sufficient individual design valid according to a letter from SDC quality. The use of identical (but th of 26 October 2015. mirror-image) floor plans with elevational devices to At Jade Cottage on Wilderness differentiate them is inconsistent Mount, there is a proposal to with the individual designs and demolish and replace with two the merit of older houses in the mirror image houses. SE/15/02759/ area. It is noted that the top floor of FUL. We wrote as follows: the proposed dwellings consists of The Sevenoaks Society objects to two large bedrooms in the roof with this application as it is contrary to only rooflights to serve them, the Residential Character Area creating unattractive internal spaces and for the following reasons: for the inhabitants of the proposed dwelling. • The Area is characterised by large individually-designed detached We also note and support the tree houses set in large plots. Significant officer’s comments. tree (and other) planting provides a visual screen between dwellings at the edge of their plots and adjoining houses, giving a discrete appearance and safeguarding amenity. By splitting the plot lengthways in two, the two proposed houses sit too close to the edge of the site, and too close to each other. The screening planting to adjoining houses would be lost affecting the amenity of adjoining residents and the two SE/15/02161/FUL proposed houses are very close to each other, which is contrary to the At 20 London Road, formerly character and spaciousness of the Williamsons , (see picture above) Area. after the first proposal was refused, there was a new proposal to convert 22

TOWNSCAPE AND P LANNING G ROUP REPORT D ECEMBER 2015 ( CONT ’D) only the upper floors to residential public highway? This could be and to leave the ground floor and indicated by providing survey the basement as retail. information beyond the confine of the building itself. We wrote as follows: Insufficient detail is provided of the The Sevenoaks Society Townscape proposed external staircase, and Planning Group has considered particularly given its location this application and makes the alongside a Grade II listed building following comments. and within a Conservation Area. There appears to be a contradiction From the information provided it between the application form (item would appear to be a foreign and 22), which indicates the loss of shop inappropriate addition to the floor area (54.2 sq m), and the plans townscape and would be better and supporting statements which provided by sensitive insertion appear to indicate that the ground within the building; we also feel that floor remains as a retail unit. We insufficient information has been note that Sevenoaks Town Council provided on the revived dormer has recommended refusal ‘due to window on the second floor of the the proposal resulting in the loss of road frontage. As can be seen from prime retail floor space within the the archive photograph, the original town centre’ , which must arise from dormer was directly above the this contradiction. window on the floor below, not offset to the left as in the application There is insufficient information elevations. provided to understand the detailed layout and character of the listed The Society would be delighted to building and whether or not the welcome a proposal to revive the proposed internal alterations are in use of this important building in the keeping with the existing structure. town centre, but we do not feel that There is no assessment of the the present proposal achieves that significance of the listed building, or aim in a suitable manner. In the the nature of its original eighteenth century the building was construction. a shop with accessible residential accommodation above, in the It is unclear on whose land the possession of the George family, proposed staircase is to be who were traders and bankers at the constructed: is this within the turn of the eighteenth century. ownership of the property, or on the 23

TOWNSCAPE AND P LANNING G ROUP REPORT D ECEMBER 2015 ( CONT ’D)

Elsewhere, we await the results of also a new application to put a ninth the appeals on the Berkeley Homes floor on Tubs Hill House, which we proposal for the Salmons site in Lon- are studying. I am most grateful to don Road on which there is to be an John Edge for taking on the Chair- open hearing and also on Colin Bird’s manship of the TPG and to Roger Garage in Lime Tree Walk. The re- FitzGerald for his highly informative vised application on Ragstones, 1, and well-judged comments for the The Vine will be considered at a DCC letters we write. meeting on November 12th. There is Tim Pearce Fort Halstead The SDC Development Control curtailed. A community bus will be Committee considered the Planning provided and the local bus route will Application to redevelop Fort be re-routed through the Halstead on 10 th September. The development in the future. At the site, owned by the Ministry of Committee meeting, strong Defence and partly within an Area of representations were made against Outstanding Natural Beauty, is now the scheme by local communities largely redundant and, being “Brown that would be affected, particularly Land” or ex-industrial use, there is, by traffic, including Shoreham, under Central Government directive, Otford, and Knockholt. However, a “planning presumption” in favour there was little appetite to refuse of development. The Committee the application (since the Sevenoaks spent three and a half hours Development Plan includes policy for debating the proposal to develop the site’s redevelopment, and the 27,000 sq.m of commercial use and scheme would almost certainly be 450 houses plus ancillary uses. The approved on Appeal). Outline proposal shows a built “foot print” of Consent was approved by 51,000 sq.m compared to the unanimous vote (with one existing foot print of 64,000 sq.m., abstention), but important so there will be less built area. conditions were imposed by the Access will be off a roundabout from Members, including that no car Polhill. The public will be afforded access to/from Star Hill to be greater access to ancient woodlands permitted; and, no sale of any and grassland walks, to a “Heritage residential units until a Housing trail” to the Fort and to Listed Association has been contracted to bunkers. Light pollution will be the Affordable Housing element.. John Edge 24

FOOTPATHS AND W ALKS

Sunday 29 November 2015 Knole Park to Sevenoaks Common and Riverhill. 4 miles easy. Start at 2.00pm from the National Trust car park in Knole Park. Parking charges for non- members apply. Sevenoaks Society Walk No.5. Sunday 31 January 2016 The task of updating the society’s Knockholt to North Downs Way. 3½ walking guides is progressing well. miles easy. Start at 2.00pm from the By the time this newsletter is Tally-Ho Inn, Main Road, Knockholt published re-vamped editions of NGR 485581. Volumes 1, 2 and 3, containing Sevenoaks Society Walk No.34. extensive improvements to content as well as presentation, are expected Sunday 28 February 2016 to be on sale in addition to the all- Holtye to Waystrode Manor, new Volume 5. Volume 4 should be Crippenden Manor and Furness Pond. 5 miles slightly hilly in parts. Start at ready early in 2016 to complete the 2.00pm from Holtye Golf Course set. They are on sale at Sevenoaks opposite the club house NGR 459392. Bookshop, Ide Hill Community Shop, The car park at the clubhouse is Up-and Running in Sevenoaks High private, but there is public parking in a Street as well as visitor centres at layby 100 metres east on the main Lullingstone and Bough Beech at road. Sevenoaks Society Walk No.33. £4.00. Sunday 20 March 2016 Our Sunday afternoon walks have Penshurst to Penshurst Park, Moorden been attracting a good attendance and Wellers Town. 5½ miles easy. Start from residents and members of at 2.00pm from the layby 200 metres EMBRO walking club in Bromley, north of the centre of Penshurst NGR although society members tend to 525439. be in the minority. The walks, details Sevenoaks Society Walk No.25. of which are shown below, start at 2pm, normally on the last Sunday of Sunday 24 April 2016. Marsh Green to Greybury Farm, the month, from January to Gilridge and Christmas Mill. 5½ miles November. We usually walk about 5 easy. Start at 2.00pm from the west miles, with slightly shorter routes in end of the green NGR 439443. the winter to ensure that we Sevenoaks Society Walk No.26. complete the walk before dark. 25

FOOTPATHS AND W ALKS ( CONT ’D)

Sunday 29 May 2016 Sunday 26 June 2016. Chartwell to Mariners Hill, Obriss Around Bough Beech Reservoir. 5½ Farm, Toy’s Hill and French Street. 5½ miles easy. Start at 2.00pm from the miles hilly. Start at 2.00pm from the road outside Bough Beech Visitor entrance to the National Trust car park Centre NGR 496494. NGR 455519. Sevenoaks Society Walk No.28. Sevenoaks Society Walk No.27.

Nick White Footpath Committee Chairman 01959 564145 [email protected]

JONATHAN F ENNER , M AY 13 TH 2015, M ARITIME K ENT

The character of the county of Kent knowledge again on the oldest is significantly defined by 140 miles lighthouse in Britain, a stone cross to of very varied coastline –significant mark the first sermon of a saint, a because of its proximity to Europe telegraphic device to synchronise and its vulnerability to the onslaught Kent’s clocks, and defensive of enemy and the weather. structures to keep old Boney out. Jonathan Fenner, speaking to the The whistle-stop tour came to rest at Society about ‘Maritime Kent’ at its The Royal Sea-Bathing Hospital in most recent meeting, touched on Margate, where the health-giving aspects of discovery, festivity, properties of maritime Kent exploration, invention and disaster. were propounded. Pioneering cross-Channel ferries, Did you guess the famous names routed Dutch ships, a solitary aviator referred to above? They were Louis and a fearless gas balloonist, the first Blériot, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, screw-propelled warship and Horatio Matthew Webb and HMS Rattler. Nelson – all have departed from the You may also have known of the Kent shores and left their mark on Pharos at Dover Castle, St. the county’s history and enterprise. Augustine’s 6th century mission, the Jonathan told the tale of a collection Time Ball on the semaphore tower at of towers and the intriguingly- Deal and of course the Martello named Smack Boys’ Home, built for Towers around Dymchurch. apprentices to the 50-strong smack fishing fleet at Ramsgate. Test your Phyllis Styles 26

SEVENOAKS C ONSERVATION C OUNCIL

This long established, non-statutory The Sevenoaks Society body consists of four representatives representatives on the Conservation each from the District Council, Town Council are currently David Gamble, Council, Chamber of Commerce and Tim Pearce, and Roger Walshe (who the Sevenoaks Society. There are is its Vice-Chairman). four meetings a year. Following the resignation from the During the past year since I became Conservation Council of Peter Moss, Chairman we have discussed a there is a vacancy for one further variety of planning and representative (any member environmental problems affecting interested should contact the Sevenoaks Town Centre, the area of Chairman or Secretary of the Society, our remit being the Town Council’s David Gamble and Tim Pearce). area (as is that of the Sevenoaks Society). We have also made The next meetings of the representations on certain planning Conservation Council (which are applications and appeals of strategic open to the public) will be on importance, including two in respect Wednesday 9 December 2015 and of outstanding appeals (96-116 Tuesday 22 March 2016 (both at London Road and 5-13 Lime Tree 7.15pm in the Sevenoaks Town Walk), and we have urged the District Council Chamber). Council to consider acquisition (by a compulsory purchase order if Charles George needed) of the former Edwards Chairman, Sevenoaks Conservation Electrical site in the High Street, in Council. respect of which no planning application has so far been made.

Possible demolitions : Ragstones and Raleys Gym 27

SEVENOAKS S OCIETY M EMBERSHIP

Here is a further reminder of the changes in subscription agreed at the AGM.

There are over 55 Standing Subscription Rates Orders that have for years

been going through at Annual (single) £10 amounts significantly below Annual (joint) £14 the current rates, representing 20 year Oak Membership (single) a substantial loss to the £85 Society. 20 year Oak Membership (joint) Please let your bank know the £120 latest figures.

Please make cheques payable to We want to remain a vibrant and Sevenoaks Society and enclose an relevant organisation and need to SAE if a membership card is keep spreading the word. Here are required. the details if you wish to send your subs or tell others about the Society. Application forms are now available by post and on the Society website, Payments should be sent to the reflecting the changes in Treasurer: Mr Richard Baxter, 7 The subscriptions from 1st April 2015. Drive, Sevenoaks, TN13 3AB

BOOK R EVIEW Darent, the History and Stories of a River and its Communities Rod Shelton, Stanhope Publishing, 2015 If you have not come across it yet, I can thoroughly recommend this fine publication. It begins with an account of the landscape and settlement of the Darent valley, its surroundings, its geology, wildlife and human development. Then each town and village is given an overview with particular details of interest selected, from Westerham to Sevenoaks, via Shoreham and Eynsford to Farningham, and then on to Dartford. It is very fully illustrated with magnificent photographs and is a great addition to any library of publications on the Sevenoaks area. TP 28

Tricon House in Old Coffee House Yard The Winner of the Frank Marshall Award for Townscape Improvement 2015