Proposals approved for development at Wildernesse House by Planning Committee

Last Thursday evening Sevenoaks District Council Planning Committee voted to unanimously support PegasusLife’s proposals to redevelop the Wildernesse House estate for a mixed development comprising accommodation for the elderly and private residential development.

The approval represents the culmination of 18 months’ of discussions with officers and residents.

The site is located in the green belt, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Conservation Area. The house which forms the centrepiece of the development is Grade II listed. Parts of the land were also protected by covenants which placed constraints on the type of development and its location.

The proposed development had to work within these environmental, policy and legal constraints. The resultant development proposes the removal of existing buildings and structures which have a negative impact on the estate, the refurbishment of the listed house and the construction of new buildings in the grounds to provide 80 extra care units, communal facilities, three residential units and a comprehensive landscape strategy.

The planning process was lead by Tibbalds. A comprehensive team of consultants was involved, comprising Duggan Morris and Purcell Architects, Camlins Landscape Architects with PBA and Max Fordham providing technical engineering advice.

The application package involved a hybrid planning application, and conservation and listed building application. The permission allows for phased implementation and establishes a Design Review Panel which allows residents to be involved in the ongoing design development of the project.