No Development without Infrastructure!
We are not against more houses - we need them, but the right mix is important, as is making them available to locals. Here again boroughs as far away as Croydon will bid for these new homes for their own needs - anecdotally this appears to have happened with some in the new developments in Paddock Wood with unfortunate consequences for local buyers and the wellbeing of that village.
This section of the website will develop quickly, as we answer your questions. We need your help, your ideas and we want to know what is important to you - please contact us via the contact form or directly to info@pemburysociety.org.
We held a public meeting on 23rd October which was very well attended. We heard borough and Parish councillors speak with one voice about the problems and threats that these developments will bring. We discovered that time is short - changes due to be introduced in March 2025 by the new government will make development considerably less profitable which may mean we can expect a rush to get all of these sites approved under the existing rules. Effectively if one site passes then the rest will likely pass under the same rules - the single current application could quickly become a flood - we need to act now.
Click the image below to download the slides from the society's presentation from the 23rd October.
Although the consultation on the Tunbridge Wells Development Plan is officially closed, comments you make now will be taken into account - your opinion counts
You can comment online https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/planning/applications/search or quoting the application numbers via email to planning@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
You can comment online https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/planning/applications/search or quoting the application numbers via email to planning@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
You can view the documents here - https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/local-plan and we will be creating a plain language version with the information we think you would like to know.
This page is in its infancy and is developing fast - please check in regularly for changes.
If you are looking for inspiration to make your own contribution click the images below to download a PDF of the responses from The Pembury Society and Pembury Parish Council to the first outline planning application - Hubble's Farm - these should provide the specific points you need.
You can also write direct to Councillor Hugh Patterson - now representing Pembury following boundary changes. Hugh is also Chair of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Planning Committee and well worth expressing your concerns to. His email address is - Hugh.Patterson@TunbridgeWells.gov.uk
You can also write direct to Councillor Hugh Patterson - now representing Pembury following boundary changes. Hugh is also Chair of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Planning Committee and well worth expressing your concerns to. His email address is - Hugh.Patterson@TunbridgeWells.gov.uk
Response from The Pembury Society
Response from Pembury Parish Council
WHAT CAN I DO?
- You can still comment on the Hubble's Farm Outline Application - https://twbcpa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SHYIYLTYI3M00&activeTab=summary then click on 'comments'. You can also email TWBC about the local development plan here - localplan@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
- You can write to your local councillors both Borough and County - https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/council/councillors-and-meetings/your-councillors
- Reading the Pembury Society and Pembury Parish Council objections above will give you some food for thought when writing about how these developments will affect you.
When setting out the reasons for your comments;
- Your letter or e-mail should state clearly the points you wish to make about an application.You can support a planning application as well as object to it.
- If you wish to object to a proposal, you should set out the reasons for your objection with with valid Reasons for Comment (see attached document below).
- The most effective objections are those which demonstrate the harm that will be caused.
- Stick to planning matters and don’t refer to non-planning issues as these will undermine your case.
- Set out any conditions which you would like to see imposed should an application be approved. Conditions need to be included in the approval notice for a planning application if they are to be legally binding and this does not weaken any objections you have
- Remember that all comments submitted are open to public view.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Planning Committee Members - Pembury Councillor Hugh Patterson is Chair
Kent County Council is only involved with local road changes but this is a list of specific Members who may take an interest in how these proposed developments could affect their portfolios