Residents in Kemsing are being notified of a proposed utility upgrade that will affect a local green space. Sevenoaks District Council has formally announced its intention to grant a legal right to gas network operator SGN for a replacement pipeline.
Details of the Statutory Notice
The council has acted under the Local Government Act 1972 section 123(2A) to issue the notice. It concerns land known as Oxenhill Meadow on Tudor Drive, Kemsing, near the postcode TN15 6RQ. The core proposal is to grant an easement, which is a legal right for SGN to lay and maintain a replacement gas pipeline across a section of this open space.
Authorities have moved to reassure the community about the long-term status of the land. Sevenoaks District Council will retain the freehold ownership, and it has explicitly stated that the land will continue to be used as open space for everyone. The notice does not signal a change in the land's designated use.
How to Inspect Plans and Have Your Say
The statutory notice was officially published on Thursday, 8 January 2026 in the Sevenoaks Chronicle newspaper and is also available on the online Public Notice Portal.
Detailed plans showing the exact area of land subject to the proposed easement are available for public inspection. You can view them at the Council Offices on Argyle Road in Sevenoaks (TN13 1HG) during office hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8.45am to 5pm
- Friday: 8.45am to 4.45pm
The council is inviting representations from the public, particularly from anyone who believes they may be adversely affected. Any concerns should be clear and backed by evidence.
All written representations must be sent to the Senior Estates Surveyor at the council's Argyle Road address and must arrive no later than Friday, 23 January 2026. For further information, you can also email property@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
What This Means for the Community
This process relates specifically to creating a new legal easement for a section of pipeline infrastructure. The council emphasises that the land's function as public open space is protected.
Any temporary works required for laying or future maintenance of the pipeline would be governed by strict access agreements and reinstatement standards to minimise disruption and restore the land. Residents and local stakeholders with questions about potential access routes, ecological impact, or the management of temporary works are encouraged to review the plans and submit their queries before the deadline.
