Fears over plans to develop near wildlife reserve

A wildlife trust has raised concerns over potential plans to build a 1500-home development near a wildlife reserve in Kent.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, which recently reopened a revamped visitor centre, is home to thousands of species, including kingfishers, grey herons and glow worms.

Kent Wildlife Trust has urged the public to respond to an ongoing consultation of the draft local plan by Sevenoaks District Council, which includes a development proposal for land west of Otford Road.

The council has been approached for comment.

Emma Waller, senior planning officer at the trust, said that the reserve did "not exist in isolation" and needed the surrounding countryside.

She added: "Whilst we recognise the need for new homes, we strongly believe in the right development in the right place.

"We're concerned these proposals could have far-reaching consequences for the reserve, the River Darent and the wider landscape that wildlife depends on.

"Once these vital connections are lost, they are incredibly difficult to restore."

According to the consultation documents, the proposal would also include 12 Gypsy and traveller pitches, alongside a new community and leisure centre.

The trust also raised concerns that having thousands of new residents may negatively impact wildlife, which it said can currently move between the reserve and the wider countryside.

There are also fears that development could increase polluted runoff and sediment entering the River Darent, a 21-mile-long chalk stream which flows through the reserve.

The consultation is open until 17 September.

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