Wates has been named as the preferred development partner for a £138m regeneration project in the heart of Sevenoaks after councillors approved its provisional appointment for the leisure-led scheme.
Sevenoaks District Council’s cabinet agreed on 16 June to appoint Wates to deliver the Land East of Sevenoaks High Street regeneration project, which aims to transform a key area of the town centre with new community, residential and public realm facilities.
The appointment remains subject to final funding approval, with councillors due to consider the financial arrangements at a meeting on 14 July.
The regeneration plans include the construction of a replacement leisure centre, a new cultural hub and market hall at 96 High Street, energy-efficient housing, enhanced green spaces and extensive public realm improvements. The scheme also proposes upgraded public transport connections and the creation of a green corridor linking the High Street with Knole Park.
The council has stated that the development is expected to become self-financing over the long term, with income generated from residential development helping to fund the leisure centre and other public infrastructure improvements.
According to a council report, all three shortlisted bidders identified a funding shortfall within their proposals and required some level of council support in addition to the value of the development land. Officers are continuing to explore ways of reducing or mitigating the funding requirement.
Wates submitted the strongest financial proposal, with a projected capital funding gap of £6.4m. Competing bids from Ballymore and Cityheart indicated funding gaps of £17.8m and £18.9m respectively.
The report did not clarify whether the £6.4m deficit had been calculated before or after the inclusion of a proposed council loan facility of up to £40m. The loan would be ring-fenced for public infrastructure works and repaid, with interest, through residential sales receipts or, if necessary, from Wates’ equity contribution.
The procurement was undertaken under the Procurement Act 2023 using the competitive flexible procedure. The two-stage process commenced in May 2025, with three bidders invited to submit detailed proposals following the invitation-to-participate stage. Final tenders were received on 1 December 2025.
Wates achieved an overall evaluation score of 72.12%, placing it ahead of Ballymore and Cityheart.
The council said the company performed particularly strongly in areas including design and scheme concept, leisure centre delivery, planning strategy, project management and social value commitments.
Its submission included proposals for residential development, a replacement leisure centre, public realm enhancements and the redevelopment of 96 High Street, alongside technical assurance measures and plans for stakeholder engagement.
Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member for Improvement and Innovation Michael Horwood said the authority remained committed to delivering a new leisure centre as a central element of the regeneration programme.
He said Wates would develop detailed proposals and undertake public engagement activities before any planning application is submitted.
Early-stage designs are expected to be prepared for public consultation over the coming months, with a planning application anticipated from late 2027.
Subject to securing planning consent, construction could begin in 2028.
The council estimates the development could create 263 jobs during the construction phase and support a further 89 full-time jobs once the scheme is complete, providing a significant economic boost alongside the regeneration of a key town centre site.
