NEDRA, the New Edenbridge District Residents’ Association, aims to represent the interests of Edenbridge, protect the Green Belt, consult members, share timely & vital information, collaborate with other organisations, and campaign for local / district / county council accountability for high-quality services.
We first came together back in February 2023, shocked by the extensive building plans for Edenbridge outlined in the 2040 local plan. Around 30 concerned residents attended that initial meeting, and from there, we formed the New Edenbridge District Residents’ Association (NEDRA). Our committee consists entirely of local residents, many of whom have lived in Edenbridge for years, with one member’s family having roots here for generations.
Currently our primary focus is to address and respond to Regulation 19 of the 2040 Local Plan. The current proposal suggests that up to 1,534 new homes could be built in Edenbridge, and this does not include all sites with existing planning permission. This could mean an influx of 2,000-4,000 more new residents, thousands more cars putting pressure on our roads, increased demand for policing, schools, nursery provision, added strain on the medical centre, and very likely more flooding due to increased concrete surfaces. Our infrastructure simply isn’t equipped to handle this level of development.
Unfortunately, Edenbridge was ‘caught sleeping’ during Regulation 18 of the 2040 plan, which occurred just before and over Christmas 2023, resulting in few responses. We want to ensure that many more people are aware of and prepared for Regulation 19, which is coming up in late summer 2024 we believe. This will be our last chance to respond to the ‘soundness’ of the plan, so we are gearing up now to be ready when the revised plan is released. It’s crucial for us to rally as many members as possible before Regulation 19 to truly represent the voice of Edenbridge. We’re working with experts and organisations like CPRE and the London Greenbelt Council to ensure our response is thorough and impactful.
In addition to this primary focus, we are also addressing other community issues raised by Edenbridge residents, including policing, the future of the war memorials from the closed hospital, and the quality of care at the new medical centre. We are aware of other community concerns but these are our current top priorities. We will be providing updates on these issues at our public meetings and on social media: including our Facebook page and this website, where you can also leave your comments.