Plans for a new multi-storey car-park in Sevenoaks have been slammed by the National Trust.

Sevenoaks District Council plans to add 300 long-stay spaces to the Buckhurst 2 car park by adding a two storey elevated car deck.

It would be part of a £4 million pound development, funded by a low-interest loan from the Government.

However, the proposals have been criticised and branded as 'unacceptable' as the site sits opposite the Knole - a Grade 1 listed building.

A planning adviser for the National Trust, Jane Arnott lodged a consultation response yesterday stating the proposals are contrary to planning policies.

She wrote: "We believe the current proposal is unacceptable. In our opinion its height, scale, massing and form as well as the site coverage represent poor design.

"It will be unduly overbearing on surrounding land uses and adversely impact on the sensitive landscape to the east including Knole Park and its setting."

"It will be unduly overbearing on surrounding land uses and adversely impact on the sensitive landscape to the east including Knole Park and its setting" - Jane Arnott...

She also expressed a concern about the visibility of the construction from Knole Park.

In the heritage assessment the council states that the car park cannot currently be seen from Knole, but Ms Arnott stressed that after development it is likely to be visible.

In her response she added: "Firstly, whilst the existing site is not visible from the Park we have serious doubts that the proposed development will not be visible from the Park.

"It is the proposed development that is likely to affect the significance of the heritage asset. Secondly is important to ensure that from within the Park one remains unaware of the presence of the town to the west.

"The character of the Park and the feeling of remoteness from the urban area are a major part of what makes the Park such a valuable asset not only in terms of the Park as a heritage asset but also as a public amenity for the people of Sevenoaks."

The trust is also worried about lighting noting that 4m columns are to be erected on the top floor of the building, which Ms Arnott claims will result in 'glare and light pollution'.

To conclude the response, Ms Arnott wrote: "We believe that the design should accordingly be amended to reduce the potential impact both on the amenity of surrounding land uses and Knole Park."

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