TUNBRIDGE Wells Borough Council is holding a public consultation period for residents to have their say on the drafted long-term plan for the town centre, named VISION 2040.
The Council has been working in partnership with organisations and residents to develop a strategy for the future of Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre to help create ‘a more prosperous and sustainable town centre.’
The public consultation starts on Friday 23 February and runs until Monday 15 April.
There will be several events and drop-in sessions during this seven-week period across the Town Centre (and one in Cranbrook).
The Town Centre Plan will be a separate document from the overarching Tunbridge Wells Local Plan which is currently subject to independent examination.
The drafted plan will provide a vision, objectives and a planning framework for the future of the town centre up to 2040.
This is with the aim of diversifying and adapting the area, making sustainable improvements to public spaces and travel, attracting investments for high-quality living, working, shopping, learning, leisure, and cultural spaces, all while preserving and enhancing Royal Tunbridge Wells’ heritage status and historic attributes.
TWBC is also issuing a ‘Call for Sites’ in the town centre, to identify sites which might be available for development or redevelopment in the period up to 2040.
The Call for Sites is particularly aimed at landowners, developers and their agents but it is open to anyone to submit a site.
Key provisions are that the person submitting the site can confirm that the landowner is willing to make the land available for development and it must be located within the defined Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre boundary.
Councillor Hugo Pound, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning commented:
“It would be great to have input from all ages of our community and the team of officers and local Councillors will be out and about doing organised consultation events to explain thoughts so far.
“We really hope people get involved in helping to plan positively for the future of Tunbridge Wells town centre.”
Councillor Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Economic Development added:
“Some initial engagement work has already been completed we want to know what you think about it before moving on to the next steps.
“Your views at this early stage in the process are very important. What do you think about the current town centre? What is important to you in the town and how would you like to see it evolve and develop in the future? What would you like to see included in the town centre? And how it could be improved?”
Comments on the consultation and sites can be submitted by visiting the Council’s website. You can email RTWTownCentrePlan@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk, or alternatively call the Planning Policy team on 01892 554056, should you have any questions.
