Notice of Public Consultation on Tunbridge Wells Borough

Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 – Regulation 20 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) (as amended)

Notice of Public Consultation on Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan Review 2029 – Scoping Consultation Document and Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Document

The Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 2020-2038 (adopted December 2025) includes a commitment to starting a Local Plan review within six months of adoption of the Plan (set out within Policy STR1: The Development Strategy).

The Council is now beginning a review of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan setting the framework for how the borough will grow and prosper over the coming years. The Local Plan Review will cover the period 2029 - 2044 and its preparation will be undertaken in accordance with the Government’s new plan-making Regulations (March 2026).

The Scoping Consultation is the first public consultation in the preparation of the new Local Plan and seeks early views on what the plan should contain and how future engagement should be carried out in preparing the Local Plan at each stage.

Alongside this, there is a consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report which evaluates potential environmental impacts of the Local Plan.

Consultation on the Scoping Consultation document and the SEA Scoping document runs from 14 July 2026 for a period of four weeks until 11 August 2026. We would like to hear from you.

The notice of Scoping Consultation can be viewed online here https://twbc.online/lprcThe consultation documents can be viewed on our consultation portal at https://talkingpointtunbridgewells.uk.engagementhq.com/local-plan-review 2026 or on our website at https://twbc.online/lprc

In addition, paper copies will be made available at:

•The Town Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1RS, which is open 9am-5pm (Monday to Friday) excluding Bank Holidays (Telephone 01892 526121).

•The Amelia Scott, Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1AW, which is open from 9am-6pm (Monday to Wednesday and on Friday), 9am-8pm on Thursday, 9am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on a Sunday (Telephone 01892 526121).

•The Town Council Offices at Paddock Wood and Parish Council Offices at Cranbrook; you can view the more details on our website Parish and Town Councils - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Representations can be submitted as follows:

1.By the preferred option of online at https://talkingpointtunbridgewells.uk.engagementhq.com/local-plan-review2026

2.By e-mail to localplan@tunbridgewells.gov.uk (a downloadable form is available)

3.By post to Planning Policy, Planning Services, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS

We are also running a ‘Call for Sites’ inviting the submission of sites for consideration in the allocation of development as part of the Local Plan Review until the 3 August 2026. Further details can be found on our website https://twbc.online/call-for-sites