Sevenoaks District Council has withdrawn its application for the decking of the Buckhurst 2 car park.

The application has been delayed for the time being as Kent County Council's (KCC) highway division has raised concerns over the junction by Pembroke Road and the High Street, labelling it 'inadequate'.

Sevenoaks District Council included an overview of the junction in the planning application, but KCC councillors have decided it needs addressing further.

In the consultation response to the planning application, Kent County Council stated that its junction cannot currently cope with existing demand and expects its performance to deteriorate further in the coming years.

As part of its proposal, Sevenoaks District Council hired transport experts Peter Brett Associates to carry out a detailed transport study.

Based on their advice, the council's planning application included a series of measures that could have been implemented to improve the performance of the junction should the car park be built, which Kent County Council were unable to support.

In light of their comments the Council has decided to withdraw the planning application.

A spokesperson for Sevenoaks District Council said: "The council has reluctantly taken the decision to delay a proposal to deck Buckhurst 2.

"I’m sure the many local residents and businesses that supported our plans will be very disappointed that Kent County Council has been unable to support our current proposal" Cllr Peter Fleming...

"Despite this disappointing news, Sevenoaks District Council has committed to work with Kent County Council to find a solution before resubmitting the application as soon as possible.

Cllr Peter Fleming, leader of the council, said: "There is overwhelming evidence of the need for extra parking capacity to meet the existing need in the town.

"I’m sure the many local residents and businesses that supported our plans will be very disappointed that Kent County Council has been unable to support our current proposal.

"But if Kent County Council is concerned that the car park could result in problems at the junction that would adversely affect the town I want to ensure we take the time necessary to address these issues.

"This is clearly a setback. But I am confident we will find a solution."

Cllr Roddy Hogarth, the council’s cabinet member for economic development, added: “Many local businesses have been telling us for some time that we need extra parking in the town. They will be very disappointed that problems with the High Street junction have delayed our proposal.

"I’m confident we can assist the County Council to find a solution to their junction issues so that we can bring this planning application back and deliver the increased parking capacity that the town needs.”