A prime purpose of the Wildernesse Residents Association is to uphold the covenants which have proved crucial to maintaining the rural nature of the estate and preventing over-development. The key covenants, established when the Estate land was sold for development in the 1920s, limit building to one house per original plot and to at least 75 feet from roadways. The WRA Committee monitors planning applications and takes action on any proposal which threatens a breach. Since its establishment in 1996, the WRA has successfully prevented any breach, principally through negotiations with developers and owners. It is vital it continues to do so.
Tied in to maintaining the covenants and character of the Estate is our support for the Wildernesse Conservation Area, established by Sevenoaks District Council (SDC), whose boundaries are very close (although not identical) to those of the Estate. The Council’s management plan for the Area sets out the principles which developments should follow. We expect to oppose any development which we believe is so extreme as to harm the character of the Conservation Area or the Estate. However, it is important to note that the Council’s principles are not intended to prevent development – on the contrary, they are intended to support positive management of change. We expect properties to be developed and improved over time and in line with modern standards. We will not become involved in differences between neighbours over developments unless we believe the latter really threaten the future character of the Conservation Area. Our approach to planning issues and applications is covered in more detail in the Conservation Area section.
The WRA Committee also aims to represent the interests of residents in discussions with councils and other bodies on matters affecting the amenity of the Estate. Our Role Statement formally sets out our full range of activities.
The WRA was established in 1996 following a successful court case fought by individual residents against a development which threatened the covenants. The WRA covers its ordinary costs, which primarily arise from legal and other professional fees, through the annual subscriptions paid by members. Membership is voluntary, but the great majority of residents join. Our Membership and Join pages give more detail on membership categories, subscriptions and why and how to join.
The WRA Committee is elected by members to pursue the agreed goals of the Association. The Committee is always keen to welcome additional volunteers to stand for the Committee.
The WRA should not be confused with the Road Trustees who exist on each of the main private roads on the Estate: Parkfield, Wildernesse Avenue and Woodland Rise. The Trustees are responsible for maintaining the roads and their verges. Their fees to cover these costs are compulsory for residents of the roads concerned. They are not responsible for covenant and Conservation Area issues.
Other pages on this website give more detail on the operation of the WRA, the Covenants and our approach to development and the Conservation Area.