This section contains documentation for consultations
on which the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Forum will give comment in due course.
Consultation concerning
the Draft Town Centre Area Plan and Vision 2040
in Royal Tunbridge Wells
15 April 2024
"Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is currently preparing a Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan.
This consultation is the first stage in the process of preparing the Plan,
called the 'Draft Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan - Vision 2040',
and the council is seeking views on this, before moving on to the next steps."
Consultation concerning
Economic Development Strategy 2023-2026
in Royal Tunbridge Wells and the Borough of Tunbridge Wells
1 September 2023
"Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's aim is to support sustainable economic development and
create an environment in which existing businesses can flourish and new investment is attracted."
"Working with a wide range of partner organisations, the Council is seeking to focus its available resources to support local businesses
- existing and new - as they recover from recent events and build their resilience for the future."
"This Strategy will communicate the myriad ways in which the Economic Development team is doing this."
Consultation concerning
Ward Boundaries
in Royal Tunbridge Wells and Borough of Tunbridge Wells
2 August 2022
New boundaries are being proposed for council wards in Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals.
The 10 week consultation on the proposals ends on 10 October 2022.
Consultation concerning
the Tunbridge Wells Electoral Review
Tunbridge Wells is currently subject to an electoral review in which the internal ward boundaries are likely to change.
This could have implications on who represents the residents/citizens at the borough council.
The Boundary Commission has determined that the total number of councillors for Tunbridge Wells Borough should be 39 (currently 48).
The RTW Town Forum hosted a presentation by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
The consultation ends on 21 March 2022.
Consultation concerning
the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan - up to 2038
Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Forum submitted its response to the Planning Inspector's questions under Stage 1 of the Public Examination on 15 February 2022.
It is based on RTW TF "Call for Sites response and RTW TF "Reg 19 Consultation" response and
deals only with issues concerning Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Consultation concerning
the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan - up to 2038
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has published the Pre-Submission version of its Local Plan,
which sets out proposed planning policies for development in the borough up to 2038.
It can be viewed, together with its Sustainability Appraisal, Statement of Representations Procedure,
and other supporting documents:
TWBC Local Plan 2021 Consultation
It is also available for public inspection, by prior appointment only (tel. 01892 554056),
at Tunbridge Wells Gateway, 8 Grosvenor Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2AB
(open Mo-Fri, 9am-5pm)
There is a ten-week period [ 26 March to 4 June 2021, 5pm ] during which time representations may be made:
1. online at https://consult.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/kse/
2. by e-mail to localplan@tunbridgewells.gov.uk (a downloadable form is available)
3. by post to Planning Policy, Planning Services, TWBC, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RS
For further details on the Local Plan and any queries or seeking assistance:
email: localplan@tunbridgewells.gov.uk / tel: 01892 554056.
(Stephen Baughen, TWBC Head of Planning Services 25.3.2021)
Consultation concerning
"The Road Safety Strategy"
Kent County Council has launched a consultation on
"Vision Zero - The Road Safety Strategy for Kent"
27 January 2021 - 15 March 2021
On 15 August 2019 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Cabinet released the Draft Local Plan document;
public consultation will take place from 20 September to 1 November 2019.
RTW Town Forum members will attend a workshop on 5 September 2019.
A PUBLIC meeting will be held on Wednesday 21 November 2018, 5pm - 7pm @Trinitytheatre (Trinity Gallery)
regarding "TRINITY Theatre is considering opening up its clocktower as a public viewing platform .... "
Clocktower as public viewing platform? - Times of Tunbridge Wells
Consultation concerning
Air Quality in RTW
Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) is the process by which local authorities monitor, assess and take action to improve air quality.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is consulting on its air quality strategy and Town Forum members are asked to respond,
either directly, or via members of the Town Forum Management Group.
The survey takes no more than 10 minutes to complete and closes on 28 October 2018.
TWBC Air Quality Consultation
Consultation concerning
Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Kent County Council has a duty to prepare a Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP)
under Section 60 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and
to update the plan every 10 years.
Consultation concerning
the relocation of St Peter's Church Primary School
Kent County Council proposes to relocate and expand St Peter's Church of England Primary School,
Windmill Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4UU.
The Hawkenbury Farm development has planning consent to provide 235 new homes;
therefore there will be a future demand for additional places.
This is the RTW Town Forum's submission for the Transport Plan, a component of the Local Plan.
Since 2012, the RTW Town Forum has contributed to consultations about the TWBC Transport Plan 2012-26
and Cycling and Parking strategies and KCC's Active Travel Strategy.
It has produced its own Town Centre Transport Plan and
proposals for a Green Network of active travel routes.
Submission of Comments accepted concerning
CULTURE HUB in RTW
On 10 November 2017, Planning Site Notice appeared near the Library/Museum entrance
regarding the
"LISTED BUILDING CONSENT, Partial Demolition of the Adult Education Centre, Museum, Library and
the removal of two huts in the rear of the site.
Erection of extensions to the side and rear of the Adult Education Centre, Museum, Library to create a unified CULTURAL HUB."
Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre are keen to seek people's view about how to take forward their heritage ideas.
They are currently working on exciting plans to open up more of their beautiful, Grade II* listed, former church and create a new heritage attraction for Tunbridge Wells for residents and visitors alike.
(Trinity is applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a £1.8m grant.)
Consultation concerning
"Civic Development Planning Framework (SPD)
Supplementary Planning Document"
Town Forum members and everyone in the Borough can submit comments
regarding specific areas and sites within the Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre,
1.) Crescent Road/Church Road,
2.) Mount Pleasant Car Park,
3.) Great Hall Car Park.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is hosting a drop-in session on Wednesday 15 November 2017 (2pm - 7pm), in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Consultation concerning
new constituencies in the South East
The BOUNDARY COMMISSION for England published its revised proposals on 17 October 2017
and set out the new constituencies in the South East.
Comments can be submitted until 11 December 2017.
The proposed constituency for the town ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS is "Tunbridge Wells and Crowborough";
the Borough of Tunbridge Wells will have 3 MPs !?
Consultation concerning
"Tunbridge Wells Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study"
TWBC would very much like to hear Town Forum members' and Residents' views on open spaces, sport and recreation facilities.
The study is very wide ranging and covers
parks and recreation grounds;
amenity and informal green spaces (e.g. Trinity Churchyard, Cemeteries);
swimming pools, leisure centres;
play areas and youth facilities;
tennis courts and bowling greens;
allotments;
wildlife areas/nature reserves, natural green spaces;
footpaths, bridleways.
Survey will be open from 10 August 2017 to 8 September 2017.
Additional comments can also be posted.
Statement concerning
"Extension of Crescent Road Car Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells"
The Council's corporate strategy, known as the Five Year Plan, is being reviewed to make sure it stays up-to-date and relevant for the borough.
The Five Year Plan is the strategic document which outlines the things that the Council will do in the next five years.
Consultation concerning
"Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan" and "Vision up to 2033"
Town Forum members and everyone in the Borough can submit comments concerning TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN:
- ISSUES AND OPTIONS
- DRAFT LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT Supplementary Planning Documents
- SECOND CALL FOR SITES
The Borough Council is hosting a series of exhibitions during May: Thursday 11 May 4pm-7pm and Saturday 13 May 10am-2pm at Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre, Royal Tunbridge Wells (Unit 9 in Ely Court)
Town Forum members and everyone in the Borough can submit comments concerning TUNBRIDGE WELLS DRAFT PLANNING FRAMEWORK for the
1.) THE CRESCENT ROAD/CHURCH ROAD AREA OF CHANGE,
2.) GREAT HALL CAR PARK
3.) MOUNT PLEASANT CAR PARK
which means - TWBC requests residents' comments in connection with:
1.) EXTENSION of CRESCENT ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK
2.) NEW TOWN HALL (e.g. Council's Offices & Council Chamber)
3.) NEW Theatre
There will be an exhibition of the draft Framework material on display from Thursday 11 May to Thursday 25 May in Unit 3, Ely Court, Royal Victoria Place, Royal Tunbridge Wells.
There will also be two days when the exhibition will move opposite to Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, Unit 7.
(and staffed drop-in sessions - Saturday 13 May 10am-3pm, Thursday 18 May 2pm-8pm)
The RTW Town Forum responds to the government's consultation on the South Eastern Rail Franchise which expires in December 2017.
The original documents from the Department for Transport can be found at
Department of Transport
Consultation ends on 23 May 2017.
Consultation concerning "Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy"
Town Forum members and everyone in the Borough can submit comments concerning the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
It reviews Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's policy aimed at the "taxi trade" and
makes some changes to the existing policy to bring it into line with recent changes in legislation e.g. safeguarding.
Consultation ends on 17th March 2017.
Comments can be posted on the Portal for
TWBC CONSULTATIONS.
Response concerning "Expansion of car parking in RTW"
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council proposes alterations to restrictions within Permit Parking Zones A and C:
TWBC has announced a public consultation about increasing the amount of time when parking is restricted to PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY in residents parking Zones A and C.
Comments can be posted on TWBC CONSULTATIONS In both zones A and C the restriction will be permit holder only parking,
Monday - Saturday from 8am to noon and then from 3pm to either 7pm or 8pm depending on the street.
On Sundays, it will be permit holder only parking from 11am to 3pm.
Consultation concerning "Calls for Sites" (Local Plan 2013-2033)
The Town Forum submitted its response to the Borough Council's call for sites under the Local Plan 2013-2033.
Royal Tunbridge Wells cannot accommodate more new housing than its share of the 300 units annually as agreed in the recent Local Plan.
The Town Forum calls on the Borough Council to seek a different strategic approach and proposes a plan including "Investigating Garden Village sites to relieve pressure on existing settlements".