The London Project
Welcome to the
THE LONDON PROJECT
Welcome to our consultation website for The London Project. Kent’s first health and well-being focused leisure destination providing a range of accommodation and sporting facilities, accessible to all, with the capability to attract events on a national and global scale.
The London Project is the name given to the public consultation and planning application process. A key milestone in the project was achieved on April 2nd 2025 when planning permission for the project was granted by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. The proposal will enhance the existing facilities at the London Golf Club, providing a range of accommodation and sporting facilities, accessible to all, with the capability to attract events on a national and global scale. The site is located on the border of Sevenoaks District Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. We believe there is a unique opportunity to build on the success of the golf club as part of a strategic sports corridor that is emerging along the M20, significantly improving the existing facility whilst delivering community outreach and substantial economic benefit to the wider area. The proposals will also improve access to sports facilities all year round. The plans include a new 240 bedroom hotel and spa with lodge accommodation, the restoration of a collection of heritage buildings into a wedding venue, the provision of health and wellbeing focused leisure amenities and a Sports Turf Academy which will provide training opportunities for local people. A planning application was submitted to both Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Sevenoaks District Council for consideration in late 2024. As a result of ongoing feedback and discussions since submission of the application, a number of changes to the originally submitted scheme are now proposed. Updated documents were loaded to the same planning application files below during February 2025. The planning application number with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is 24/01620/PA. The planning application number with Sevenoaks District Council is 24/02712/FUL.
The proposals currently include:
Golf Club
The existing club house will be enhanced to bring the facility in-line with other championship courses around the world with the ambition of attracting international tournaments to Kent. At this stage it is envisaged that only internal alterations will be required and that no extensions to the Club House will form part of the planning application.
Retreat & Spa
A high-quality designed retreat and spa comprising a new hotel and supporting visitor accommodation, together providing 240 bed spaces alongside restaurants, bars, a spa and conferencing facilities. The hotel will also provide a number of lodges designed to attract a broader demographic of tourists.
Manor
South Ash Manor, a grade II* listed property on site, home to 16th century wall paintings and currently unused. The proposals look to conserve and restore this historic building, establishing a viable use as a wedding venue comprising bride/ groom accommodation in conjunction with the surrounding buildings, barns and restored gardens, which together will provide a high-quality wedding venue. You can read more about the history of this fantastic local asset from David Lindsay, grandson of the previous owner, here.
Turf Academy
A new Turf Academy, offering a dedicated environment to learn and develop turf maintenance and management skills, found in facilities such as those found within the Sports Corridor. Located to the north of the A20 London Road, the Turf Academy will also provide space for community use, sports and leisure activities including the provision of a 3G artificial pitch.
Pursuits
The intention is to provide a more accessible leisure offer where visitors will be encouraged to use the new restaurants and bars, together with enhanced walking routes to visit the London Project. A pavilion will create access to a range of pursuits including a new natural swimming lake, racket sports and equestrian facilities.
Key Benefits
Economic Benefits
The golf club currently employs 145 people, of which approximately 90% live locally. It is estimated that this could increase to 435 jobs once the development is complete, further increasing local employment opportunities.
There will be local labour, skills and training opportunities in place to ensure local people have access to employment opportunities during the construction and operational phases.
The golf club currently uses, and will continue to use, local food providers such as Watts Farm for fresh produce, Shephard Neame Brewers and Albion Fine Foods in Tonbridge and Maidstone. The aspiration is to be self-sufficient with the potential for growing on site and a farm-to-table concept.
The proposals will be a catalyst for tourism in the wider area, particularly through the new visitor accommodation.
The proposals are estimated to have the following quantifiable economic impact:
⊚ £1million per year uplift in additional employee spending
⊚ Overnight guests could generate approximately £8million per year in visitor spending
⊚ £11.5million per year in Gross Value Added (GVA)
⊚ An uplift in business rate revenue (a proportion of which would go to each local authority of Sevenoaks District Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council)
Social Benefits
Provision of new Sports Turf Academy, providing education and training to the benefit of the local community and existing sports clubs and bodies.
Creation of a Golf Academy/Centre of Excellence for the benefit of the wider community.
A community outreach programme that involves partnering with local schools and community groups as well as targeting under-represented groups including golfers with a disability.
Significant enhancement to existing sports provision in the District and Borough, resulting in a positive contribution to the health and well-being of local people.
New facilities to host charity and community events that can be secured through a community outreach programme.
Environmental Benefits
Delivery of a carbon net-zero development.
Creation of a Golf Academy/Centre of Excellence for the benefit of the wider community.
Biodiversity improvement through new planting, trees and water features.
Incorporating food growing opportunities.
Incorporation of a combined Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) for hospitality and golf use to maximise the reuse of water to assist with irrigation requirements.
Greater public access and inclusivity.
Questions You May Have
Increasing access for local people to sports and training facilities is a central part of the proposal. There are significant benefits to the local community and you can read more about them here.
Thank you to those who provided feedback as part of our consultation during 2024. A planning application was submitted in November 2024 to both Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Sevenoaks District Council for consideration.
The planning application number with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is 24/01620/PA.
The planning application number with Sevenoaks District Council is 24/02712/FUL
The site is located within the green belt, but it is not within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This means that very special circumstances will need to be demonstrated when the planning application is determined by Sevenoaks District and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Councils.
National and local policy outlines support for enhancing existing facilities and the local economic benefits generated from tourist facilities which is a key consideration.
The design is being created to achieve net zero carbon. From the design of the buildings, through to the energy strategy and drainage system, sustainability and climate change will be at the heart of decision making to ensure the London Project can deliver on this objective.
Best practice methods of construction will be implemented seeking to minimise disruption and limit movements on and off site through the reuse of material. The construction process will be controlled and managed by an agreed Construction Management Plan with both Councils.
The existing facilities will continue as they are during construction.
Much of the traffic that will be drawn to the site will occur during off-peak periods and will be spread throughout the day, which will minimise the impact on the operation of the local highway network.
The project team are engaging with Kent County Council Highways and National Highways to discuss and agree the scope and methodology of the Transport Assessment that will accompany a planning application. This assessment will include consideration of both highway safety and capacity impacts in the local area, as well as at the nearby motorway junctions.
Proposed transport measures include a shuttle bus to local railway stations, a Travel Plan and Public Right of Way (PRoW) and improvements to ensure non-car and sustainable transport options are used during the construction and operational phases. There is the potential for the shuttle bus to be offered to members of the wider community to supplement the existing bus network serving West Kingsdown and local villages.
The proposals conserve and restore this historic building, establishing it as a high quality wedding venue with accommodation and a registry office.
This consultation website will be updated as the planning application progresses and there will be ongoing opportunities to give your feedback. You can sign up to our mailing list below to be kept up to date with consultation events and updates, or get in touch with any questions using the contact details on the next tab.
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Contact Details
If you have feedback, a question or suggestion for the team you can get in touch by emailing us at consultation@iceniprojects.com or calling 07795 614 307.
