HUNDREDS of Sevenoaks homes could be protected from development or alterations if plans to make them listed buildings go ahead.

The Sevenoaks Society is leading a project aimed at protecting buildings of significance which are not nationally listed.

Supported by Sevenoaks Town Council and Sevenoaks District Council, the Local List produced at the end of the project will be used to inform planning and development decisions in the town.

Chairman of the society David Gamble insists the list will be collated via a democratic process and is encouraging members of the public to put forward their own proposals.

He said: “The Local List project is a group of volunteers looking at buildings which are not on the national list, but are worth looking after with the support of Sevenoaks District Council and Sevenoaks Town Council.

“For example, buildings like the Old Library at the top of The Drive and the congregational church at the bottom of Kippington Road are not listed, but probably deserve a greater degree of protection.

“Proposals will be taken to a democratic review and, if agreed, the building must then be taken into consideration in planning matters.”

At present, listed buildings in the town include Knole, Natwest Bank, Emily Jackson Hospital, and the Alms Houses on the High Street.

The new project will involve a research team surveying each street in Sevenoaks – as covered by the town council – to find buildings considered to merit listing locally.

The results will be reviewed by a panel consisting of district, town and county councillors, local historians and architects, and will then be taken out for public consultation.

The final list will then be approved by the district council and become part of the planning process.

Project leader John Stambollouian said: “It is very important that local people participate as volunteers in the research and surveying.

“We will be exhibiting on Saturday, June 21 at the Sevenoaks Festival and would encourage people to get in touch with us either then or through our website with their suggestions.”

While there are no limits to the number of buildings which could be listed, particular criteria must be met in terms of quality, age, and whether someone famous built or lived in them.

Mr Gamble said: “In many cases, the conservation area provides protection for some nice buildings, but there are others which are of sufficient architectural merit which are not.

“There will probably be several hundreds rather than thousands and there will be a consultation process, so if anyone is uncomfortable with the implications, then they will be able to raise issues about that.

“The aim overall is to protect the interesting aspects of Sevenoaks and it also means that planners will have some additional guidance.”

Proposals should be sent to: info@sevenoakssociety.org.uk