I have been contacted by many residents who are understandably concerned about the future of Hollybush Recreation Ground, Sevenoaks Market and the Stag Theatre, and I want to set out clearly my position.
Hollybush is not just a much-loved park; it is a vital community hub, with sporting facilities including the hockey pitch, indoor bowls and tennis courts alongside a popular café and a well-used children’s play area. The market remains a key attraction for the town, offering high-quality produce and flowers and preserving an important link to Sevenoaks’ past. The Stag Theatre too plays a hugely important role in our community life and must continue to operate as a theatre and cinema, protected for future generations.
All three have been successfully owned and managed locally for many years. However, with the Government imposing a top-down reorganisation set to abolish our district council, it is entirely understandable that residents want reassurance these valued assets will continue to be properly protected. I have therefore written to the District Council seeking clear information and public assurances about the future of Hollybush and the Market.
On the Stag, it was reassuring to see the council leader’s recent statement confirming a commitment to keeping it in public ownership for community use, but I am very aware of the strength of local feeling, and my priority is for all parties to work together to secure a successful and sustainable future.
I am determined to ensure the long-term future of key community assets and will continue to press for clarity and protection. The District and Town Councils must work collaboratively and constructively to secure the future of these important local spaces. Hollybush, the Market and the Stag are central to community life in Sevenoaks, and as your MP I will do all I can to ensure residents’ voices are heard and their future safeguarded.
As ever, if there is anything I can do to support you or your family, please do not hesitate to get in touch at [email protected].
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Below is a snapshot of what I have been working on. If there is anything I can do to support you, please get in touch.
- This month saw a major breakthrough in our campaign to protect children online, with the Government agreeing to ban smartphones in schools and introduce social media restrictions for under-16s after sustained pressure. This is a huge victory and a pivotal moment for children and families across Sevenoaks, Swanley and the Dartford Villages. Over the past year I have visited many local schools, run a parent survey and hosted two local panel events to hear directly from parents, teachers and pupils. These conversations have shaped the work I have been doing in Parliament, and I will continue to press Ministers to ensure the measures introduced are robust and delivered without delay.
- I have launched a petition calling for a direct bus route from Sevenoaks to Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, as there is currently no direct public transport link and many residents are left relying on multiple changes or costly taxi journeys. Improving access to healthcare must be a priority, so if you or someone you know would benefit, please do sign and share the petition here.
- Over the Easter Bank Holiday I was alerted to an unauthorised development at the junction of Penn Lane and Church Road in Sundridge. I immediately contacted the District Council asking for action to take place and for the police to provide support if requested. I am pleased both a Temporary Stop Notice and an Enforcement Notice in relation to the site have been served, however, we must ensure plans are in place at weekends to deal with unauthorised development commencing after 5pm on a Friday. I have therefore written an open letter to Sevenoaks District Council Leader Kevin Maskell seeking assurances that such plans will be in place. Developments should not commence without permission, and the system must be strengthened so that flagrant breaches cannot simply be regularised after the fact. I have a meeting with the Minister confirmed, and will be calling for urgent changes to the law.
- It was a pleasure to visit St Lawrence Primary School in Seal and meet Headteacher Daniel Eaton. The school is currently at max capacity and it’s easy to see why: the children were happy, engaged and clearly thriving. It was brilliant to see the facilities available, including a forest school and access to woodland play facilities. As always, my highlight was however a Q&A session with Years 5 and 6. The pupils are a real credit to Mr Eaton, his dedicated staff, and their families and it was great to meet them.
- Following my letter to the CEO, I am very disappointed that Lloyds Bank will proceed with the closure of its Sevenoaks High Street branch in June, which I know will be difficult for many residents, particularly those who rely on face-to-face banking. I have been in contact with other local banks who have offered support to customers wishing to switch, including in-branch assistance, so if you or someone you know needs help navigating this change, please do get in touch and I will do all I can to assist.
- Last week I visited Swanley Police Station as part of ‘Response Policing Week’, and it was great to meet many of the officers based there, and to join response officers out on patrol. Hearing first-hand about the situations they deal with day in, day out was both eye-opening and humbling. But, what stood out most was their clear sense of pride, professionalism, and dedication to serving our communities. We owe police officers a great deal of gratitude for the work they do, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances, to keep us all safe. Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with me.
- Following the issues raised with me and Cllr Alan White by many residents, I was pleased to hear that Kent Police, Sevenoaks District Council, the DVLA and partner agencies carried out a full site visit to the Oak View Std Farm in Horton Kirby which led to a number of untaxed vehicles being identified, seized and clamped, and a Community Protection Warning being issued. This is welcome progress, and I am grateful to all those involved for taking action. Please do continue to report any concerns to the relevant authorities and sign up for updates here.
- And finally, Sevenoaks Primary Care Network are hosting a free Health & Wellbeing Roadshow on Thursday 14th May from 10am–4pm at the Stag Theatre, with a wide range of stalls and talks covering children and young people, lifestyle, healthcare, menopause, mental wellbeing, council services, cancer awareness and ageing well, alongside mini health checks and a Macmillan coffee morning. This is a brilliant opportunity to raise any health or wellbeing concerns you may have, so please do make a note of the date or share with anyone who may be interested. More information and tickets are available here.
