PLANNING NEWS SUMMER 2019

It has been a quiet time in terms of new Planning Applications. There is no new application for the Vale Road Methodist Church site. This is obviously a large site, fronting on to the main road, so we can expect plenty of interest in developing it for a new purpose.

In the July Planning Meeting of the Town Council Planning Committee, members agreed to comment individually on The High Weald Partnership’s new design guide for house building in the High Weald.

Building work on the Hub had not begun at the time of writing. I had been told by Jonathan White, Project Lead, that the three partners involved - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Southborough Town Council and Kent County Council – were awaiting final clearance on the planning for the new Medical Centre. The Times of Tunbridge Wells caused much consternation by publishing, on Wednesday July 31st, a report which stated that that the whole Hub project was in jeopardy, with the new medical centre under threat.

The Society has received this statement from Southborough Town Council. “Southborough Town Council is committed to delivering the Southborough Hub and a new medical centre for the residents of our town. Over the last few weeks the Town Council has been busy responding to a new and substantially different financial offer put forward by NHS E. As part of Southborough Town Council’s due diligence it is required to seek legal advice on any financial negotiations and needs to demonstrate that it can afford to fund any project through the ratepayers’ money (borne by your precept). Working in collaboration with our Partners at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Kent County Council we are now confident that we are able to proceed with the Hub and ensure its long term financial viability. Southborough Town Council will be formally responding to NHS E tomorrow (1st August) stating its intention to accept their final offer. We look forward to delivering the Hub with its theatre/hall, library, community rooms, sports pavilion and new medical centre.”

Michael Dunn, Planning Officer.