Plans for three ‘huge’ homes on edge of ancient woodland set for approval
A bid to replace one bungalow with three ‘huge’ houses on the edge of ancient woodlands in Southborough is set to be approved, despite numerous public objections that the development will wreak havoc with traffic in the already congested area. The development in contention is on the Ridgewaye, Southborough, on the edge of Brokes Wood, a […]
Council to add at least 15 new social rent homes
CABINET members at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) have agreed to use a combination of contributions from property developers and government funding for refugees to purchase up to 15 homes for social housing. The homes will initially be allocated to refugees on the Ukrainian and Afghan resettlement and relocation schemes, and will later become a […]
‘Waterlogged’ primary school to get new multi-use sports pitch
Kent County Council has approved an application to build a new ‘3G’ synthetic turf, multi-use games pitch at Bidborough CofE Primary School, near Tunbridge Wells. The school, in Spring Lane, has 208 pupils and is built on a hill. The current sloping pitch is located near the bottom of the site and often becomes waterlogged in […]
Allergen petition by family of Crowborough boy to be debated in Parliament
A PETITION for clearer labelling of allergens on restaurant menus is to be debated in Parliament, thanks to the efforts of the family of Owen Carey, of Crowborough, who died from an allergic reaction. Owen Carey, 18, experienced anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock) after eating a grilled chicken breast at Byron Burger at the O2 Arena in […]
Wadhurst named best place to live in the UK
Wadhurst has beaten 71 other locations in the country to top the ‘Sunday Times Best Places to Live’ list for 2023. The judges praised the small market town for its good schools and ‘stunning scenery’, and said it offered ‘pretty much everything needed for modern life in miniature’. The town of less than 5,000 people […]
Dunorlan parking battle ‘may be lost’
ALTHOUGH no formal decision has yet been made on whether or not to introduce parking charges at Dunorlan Park, in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, the Chairman of the Friends of Dunorlan Park group fears says the ‘battle may already be lost’. Chairman Peter Russell, who has been at the forefront of raising concerns over […]
CEO of town’s largest employer steps down
THE CEO of Tunbridge Wells’ largest employer has stepped down with almost immediate effect, staff learned last week. Tracy Garrad of AXA Health announced her resignation to staff last week, and will be stepping down at the end of the month. AXA Health said: “After four successful years as the Chief Executive of AXA Health, […]
Plans to install 5G mast in local conservation area
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 15m, 5G mast to be installed in Tunbridge Wells have been submitted for approval amid a flood of resistance from both residents and members of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TBWC). The TBWC has received plans for the 15m-high ‘slim line’ pole to be erected on the corner of Cleveland Road […]
Local & Live safe for another year
THE FUTURE of Local & Live, the town’s biggest annual event, has been secured for another year. Last year, the future of the four-day music festival was left in doubt owing to a deficit of £20,000. That’s when Maxipay Accounting Services stepped in as the headline sponsor. Now the local accountancy firm has reaffirmed its […]
Most local renters pay nearly half their income
NEW research has found that those who rent property in Tunbridge Wells spend as much as 43% of their monthly income on rent. This is higher than the Kent average of 40.4% − the second highest only to London at 53.6%. Alan Boswell Landlord Building Insurance experts used official government statistics to investigate which UK […]
