Fawkham Parish Council

14/10/2026

The Parish Walk last Sunday saw blue skies and sunshine for a very enjoyable 5km walk from St. Mary’s church, through Churchdown Woods to Dean Bottom and back to the church via Corinthians and Pennis. A mixture of old and new residents enjoyed catching up and meeting new people.

You can find details of the route on FPC’s website: https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/documents/walk-2/
along with a map showing all the Public Rights of Way in and around Fawkham:https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Fawkham-footpaths-with-numbers-pdfa.pdf

We’ll hold another walk in the spring.

14/10/2026

Our website has had a refresh and includes our new logo, based on the new Parish signs. Please take a look: https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk – we hope you like it.

There’s lots of information on it, covering both what your Parish Council does and life in Fawkham. We’ll be highlighting some of this in a series of posts. Please let us know if there are other things you’d like to see on the website.

Fawkham Parish Council

Fawkham is in North West Kent, within Sevenoaks District, and entirely within the Green Belt. Fawkham is a rural parish with some 230 homes and a population of less than 500 people.

02/10/2026

Leaflet from Laura Trott, our local MP. Please click the photos for full details.

02/10/2026

As you'll probably be aware, Fawkham is subject to frequent water leaks on our South East Water supply pipework. This week there were 7 reported leaks in the Parish - and we are a very small Parish of less than 300 dwellings! These are shown in the screenshots below from SEW's AquaAlerter website.

We have shared this information with Laura Trott, our local MP, as she shares our concerns over South East Water, in terms of investing in the current infrastructure to prevent such leaks, the length of time it takes to repair the leaks and the repeat occurrence of leaks in the same location, and also in terms of their ability to supply water for the amount of development proposed in the local area through Local Plans to meet the Government's housing targets.

29/09/2026

Fawkham’s Ancient and Veteran Trees

A project is underway to identify Ancient and Veteran Trees within the Parish and to record these on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory. These trees have great ecological value, as well as being part of our heritage. They are full of nooks and crannies, holes, and dead and rotting wood. As the years go by they provide the perfect homes for thousands of species of plants, animals and fungi, including many that are rare.

While every species ages and weathers differently, there are some common signs of great age. A generous trunk circumference often suggests a specimen is over 100 years old. Thick, deeply textured bark, hollows, deadwood and bracket fungi are also indicators of veteran or ancient status. You can found out more here: https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk/what-we-record-and-why/why-we-record/ecological-value/

A number of trees were recently assessed in a local wood and their details uploaded to the Ancient Tree Inventory for verification. The photo below shows one of the trees being measured by our Clerk's son.

Over 22% of Fawkham is woodland, compared to an average of 12% in Kent. Ancient Woodland, which has existed continuously since at least 1600, covers 13% of the Parish, whereas the UK average is only 2%. A map of Fawkham’s Woodland can be found here: https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/For-the-website-Woodland-6.tiff

The Ancient Tree Inventory currently includes numerous ancient, veteran and notable trees within both Saxten’s & Cage’s Woods and Wilmay Copse (managed by the Woodland Trust); only a few have (so far) been recorded elsewhere in the Parish - and they don’t necessarily need to be within Ancient Woodland. These trees can all be found on the Woodlands Trust Ancient Tree Inventory: https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk

If you’d like to get involved, you can record a tree yourself by going to https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk/how-to-record/, or you can help us with our project, or let us know of any suggestions for the team to investigate.

Read more about the woodlands in Fawkham here: https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/woodlands/

23/09/2026

Fawkham Parish Council are planning a community walk on Sunday 11th October, in the morning. We organised one back in March 2020 which 18 people joined, and thought it high time we have another.

The circular walk will take about an hour, starting at 10:30am from the car park at St Mary’s Church, heading through Churchdown Woods and onto Dean’s Bottom. There will be some uphill sections (and some downhill!) but nothing too strenuous, with one stile and some gates. All are welcome, including children* and well-behaved dogs** on leads.

We are lucky in Fawkham to have many footpaths which provide for some beautiful walks, with 5.87 miles of public rights of way within the Parish (with several of these footpaths extending further beyond the parish boundary). Many people mentioned in the parish survey of 2019 that they enjoy walking the footpaths in and around Fawkham, although some weren’t certain where the best walks were. So the Parish Council thought it would be good to organise some group walks, where people can meet other residents and explore different parts of the parish, in different seasons.

We hope to see you there!

No need to sign up to go, but if you think you're going to join us, please comment below.
In the event of questionable weather, a decision will be made in the morning or the evening before.
Appropriate footwear and clothing must be worn. All walks are at your own risk.
*All children must be accompanied by an adult and remain their responsibility at all times.
** Please keep all dogs on short leads during the walk.

15/09/2026

Local Plan consultation closes this Thursday, 17th September, so two days left to have your say.

For Fawkham, the Local Plan includes two sites for housing: ST3-2 Fawkham Business Park with 28 units and ST3-3 Orchard Farm with 34. Fawkham Parish Council raised issues with both of these sites during the previous consultation which SDC has not addressed in this final draft.

A site on land adjacent to Banckside and Downs Valley, largely in Hartley, has also been retained, and the housing number increased from 114 to 190. This is at the top of the large field on the right as you head towards Longfield, also known as Forty Acre field.

Over 1,100 dwellings are planned in Fawkham, Hartley and New Ash Green, nearly 500 in South Darenth/Horton Kirby, 400 in West Kingsdown and 2,600 at Pedham Place by J3 of the M25.
The vast majority of the sites in and around villages and hamlets will be on greenfield Green Belt land, mostly "grey belt". This will clearly have a large impact on the local area, including on infrastructure and highways.

A public consultation runs until 17th September and this is the final chance to comment before the Plan is examined. This Regulation 19 consultation covers Legal Compliance and Soundness, which includes whether the Local Plan is justified based on the evidence, and whether it is effective and consistent with national policy.

Fawkham Parish Council has responded to the consultation, requesting that the sites ST3-2, ST3-3 and ST4-23 are removed from the Plan and providing comments on two Policies: ST1: A Balanced Strategy for Growth and H7: Housing Density. You can find a summary of the key points we raised
, which you may find useful, along with a guide to making your own representation here: https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Sevenoaks-District-Council-Regulation-19-Local-Plan-a-simple-guide-to-making-your-own-representation.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawUV-NdwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUFWSWhzRDdMNHdFdUdrNzVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYBaAsLWvZIAnAGnRreFBkROhQSaybtBF5Yjux5jXGTPSusnwf_8dq1stmHQ_aem_GjyKyizZK-xjRAd_x_itpw

There are also FAQs prepared by SDC on the Local Plan which can be found here: https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Local-Plan-QandAs_June_2026_FINAL.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawUV-QhwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUFWSWhzRDdMNHdFdUdrNzVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYBaAsLWvZIAnAGnRreFBkROhQSaybtBF5Yjux5jXGTPSusnwf_8dq1stmHQ_aem_GjyKyizZK-xjRAd_x_itpw

07/09/2026

SDC's final consultation on the Local Plan closes on 17th September. For Fawkham, the Local Plan includes two sites for housing: ST3-2 Fawkham Business Park with 28 units and ST3-3 Orchard Farm with 34. Fawkham Parish Council raised issues with both of these sites during the previous consultation which SDC has not addressed in this final draft.

A site on land adjacent to Banckside and Downs Valley, largely in Hartley, has also been retained, and the housing number increased from 114 to 190. This is at the top of the large field on the right as you head towards Longfield, also known as Forty Acre field. Both Fawkham and Hartley PCs objected to this site being included.

Over 1,100 dwellings are planned in Fawkham, Hartley and New Ash Green, nearly 500 in South Darenth/Horton Kirby, 400 in West Kingsdown and 2,600 at Pedham Place by J3 of the M25.

The vast majority of the sites in and around villages and hamlets will be on greenfield Green Belt land, mostly "grey belt". This will clearly have a large impact on the local area, including on infrastructure and highways.

A public consultation runs until 17th September and this is the final chance to comment before the Plan is examined. This Regulation 19 consultation covers Legal Compliance and Soundness, which includes whether the Local Plan is justified based on the evidence, and whether it is effective and consistent with national policy.

Fawkham Parish Council will be responding to the consultation, requesting that the sites ST3-2, ST3-3 and ST4-23 are removed from the Plan and providing comments on two Policies: ST1: A Balanced Strategy for Growth and H7: Housing Density. You can find a summary of the key points we will be raising, which you may find useful, along with a guide to making your own representation here:https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Sevenoaks-District-Council-Regulation-19-Local-Plan-a-simple-guide-to-making-your-own-representation.pdf

There are also FAQs prepared by SDC on the Local Plan which can be found here:https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Local-Plan-QandAs_June_2026_FINAL.pdf

There are some leaflets with a high level summary of the Local Plan available in Fawkham’s Little Library on the green outside the Rising Sun Inn.

29/08/2026

A reminder of our Parish Council meeting this Thursday, 3rd September at 7:30 in the village hall, at which we will discuss and agree our responses to Sevenoaks District Council’s Local Plan consultation. We will have detailed information available at the meeting and encourage you to come along to that and then respond to the consultation - the information at the meeting may provide you with some key points you may wish to include. We will also publish some detailed information after our meeting. The consultation closes on September 17th.

SDC has prepared the final draft of its Local Plan, known as the Regulation 19 version. The new Local Plan will guide what can be built and where between 2027 and 2042.
It includes sites put forward by landowners and developers to meet the Government’s new housing target of 17,460 houses that must be built over the lifetime of the Plan.

For Fawkham, it still includes two sites for housing: ST3-2 Fawkham Business Park with 28 units and ST3-3 Orchard Farm with 34. Fawkham Parish Council raised issues with both of these sites during the Regulation 18 consultation which SDC has not addressed in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan.

A site on land adjacent to Banckside and Downs Valley, largely in Hartley, has also been retained, and the housing number increased from 114 to 190. This is at the top of the large field on the right as you head towards Longfield, also known as Forty Acre field. Both Fawkham and Hartley PCs objected to this site being included.

Over 1,100 dwellings are planned in Fawkham, Hartley and New Ash Green, nearly 500 in South Darenth/Horton Kirby, 400 in West Kingsdown and 2,600 at Pedham Place by J3 of the M25. The vast majority of the sites in and around villages and hamlets will be on greenfield Green Belt land, mostly "grey belt". This will clearly have a large impact on the local area, including on infrastructure and highways.

The public consultation runs until 17th September and this is the final chance to comment before the Plan is examined. This Regulation19 consultation covers Legal Compliance and Soundness, which includes whether the Local Plan is justified based on the evidence, and whether it is effective and consistent with national policy. You may find this useful is explaining more about this and how to respond: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-07/Responding-to-a-Regulation-19.pdf.
After our meeting, we will also be publishing some information you may find useful when making a response.

There are also FAQs prepared by SDC on the Local Plan which can be found here:https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Local-Plan-QandAs_June_2026_FINAL.pdf

Finally, there are some leaflets with a high level summary of the Local Plan available in Fawkham’s Little Library on the green outside the Rising Sun Inn.

14/08/2026

As you may know, Sevenoaks District Council has prepared the final draft of its Local Plan, known as the Regulation 19 version. The new Local Plan will guide what can be built and where between 2027 and 2042. It includes sites put forward by landowners and developers to meet the Government’s new housing target of 17,460 houses that must be built over the lifetime of the Plan.

For Fawkham, it still includes two sites for housing: ST3-2 Fawkham Business Park with 28 units and ST3-3 Orchard Farm with 34. Fawkham Parish Council raised issues with both of these sites during the Regulation 18 consultation which SDC has not addressed in the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan.

A site on land adjacent to Banckside and Downs Valley, largely in Hartley, has also been retained, and the housing number increased from 114 to 190. This is at the top of the large field on the right as you head towards Longfield, also known as Forty Acre field. Both Fawkham and Hartley PCs objected to this site being included.

Over 1,100 dwellings are planned in Fawkham, Hartley and New Ash Green, nearly 500 in South Darenth/Horton Kirby, 400 in West Kingsdown and 2,600 at Pedham Place by J3 of the M25. The vast majority of the sites in and around villages and hamlets will be on greenfield Green Belt land, mostly "grey belt". This will clearly have a large impact on the local area, including on infrastructure and highways.

A public consultation runs until 17th September and this is the final chance to comment before the Plan is examined. This Regulation 19 consultation covers Legal Compliance and Soundness, which includes whether the Local Plan is justified based on the evidence, and whether it is effective and consistent with national policy. You may find this useful is explaining more about this and how to respond to a Regulation 19:https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-07/Responding-to-a-Regulation-19.pdf

There are also FAQs prepared by SDC on the Local Plan which can be found here:https://fawkhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Local-Plan-QandAs_June_2026_FINAL.pdf

There are some leaflets with a high level summary of the Local Plan available in Fawkham’s Little Library on the green outside the Rising Sun Inn.

FPC will be responding to this consultation, covering the sites above and the draft Local Plan policies which relate to them. We plan to have detailed information available at our September meeting, two weeks before the consultation closes, and encourage you to come along to that and then respond to the consultation - the information at the meeting may provide you with some key points you may wish to include. The meeting is at 7:30 on Thursday 3rd September at the village hall.