A Kent council with the third highest proportion of green belt land in the country is considering allocating some of it to meet growing housing demands.

Sevenoaks District Council is trying to get to grips with its new Local Plan, named Plan 2040, after its previous one was rejected by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

Plan 2040 will allocate where development can go across the district in the 15 years from 2015 to 2040.

It will also set out policies to promote residents’ health and well-being and to protect the environment.

Amid the ongoing housing shortage, the government wants Sevenoaks council to find space for 10,680 new homes during the plan period. At present 93% of the district falls within the green belt.

The council said it will inevitably have to consider releasing a number of such sites to meet the target, although its emphasis will be on re-using existing built-up areas.

Some of the locations planned to meet the housing need are already subject to development such as Sevenoaks Quarry, where 950 homes were approved in June.

The biggest single site mentioned in the plan is at Pedham Place – currently hosting a golf course and land used for boot sales, the plan says the site “has the potential scale to accommodate a sustainable settlement” of 2,500 new homes.

The site on the outskirts of Swanley is also set to accommodate a new stadium of over 20,000 seats for rugby giants Wasps, as well as a hotel and training facility.

The council has now published the first draft of its new Local Plan and is inviting residents to submit their views. The plan can be viewed here.

The council will also be running a series of ‘pop-up’ sessions, where the public can call in, speak to planning officers and relay their views.

They are on Monday, December 4, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at Sevenoaks District Council’s offices, Argyle Road.

On Wednesday, December 6, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at the Eden Centre, Four Elms Road, Edenbridge.

On Monday, December 11, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at White Oak Leisure Centre, Hilda May Avenue, Swanley.

On Tuesday, December 12, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at the Village Hall, London Road, West Kingsdown.

On Wednesday, December 13, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at the John Fryth Room, St Mary the Virgin Church, The Green, Westerham

On Thursday, January 4, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at Farningham Village Hall, High Street, Farningham.

And on Tuesday, January 9, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks.

Cllr Simon Reay, the cabinet member for development and conservation, said: “Plan 2040 focuses on the current and future needs of our local communities and reflects local issues.

“Not only has the Government told us we need to enable 10,680 new homes up to 2040, but we also know there is an acute need for new affordable housing.”

“Plan 2040 puts forward proposals for these much-needed new homes along with business space and new infrastructure to meet our future needs.

“At the same time, Plan 2040 proposes to protect the overwhelming majority of the green belt while ensuring new developments provide high-quality places and spaces and have the minimum impact on the environment.

“We’re really keen to hear the views of local people so I would urge them to get involved in our consultation.”

There is a long way to go, and several more rounds of consultation, before the plan is finalised.

People have until until midnight on Thursday, January 11, to respond.

There are also paper copies to view in all the local libraries, at town and parish council offices, and at the Sevenoaks District Council’s offices in Arglye Road, Sevenoaks.