Southborough/High Brooms Neighbourhood Development Plan (SHBNDP)

The revised draft SHBNDP has been approved by Southborough Town Council and submitted to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Planning Services. The latter issued a notice confirming that, and on 11 June invited public representations on the SHBNDP for consultation.

THE CONSULTATION WILL RUN UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON 25 JULY 2025

All comments received will be forwarded to an independent examiner appointed by TWBC to examine the plan. A paper copy of the SHBNDP is available in Southborough Library. Comments can be made online via the Consultation Portal here.

A copy of all other forms of consultation can be found on our recent blog here. Society members are strongly urged to comment – hopefully favourably. This is a once in a decade chance to help to shape our neighbourhood plan.

Updates since the March 2025 Newsletter

Former Methodist Church: Negotiations with the church are still continuing. The developers have submitted proposals regarding Condition 12 of the Planning Permission (ref 25/0103/SUB) about construction traffic management on the site and also parking arrangements. With regard to the latter, it is suggested that most construction workers will use public transport, and that it is intended that discussion should take place with St Dunstan’s Church concerning the use of 4 parking spaces in the church’s car park. No on-site parking will be allowed on the former Methodist Church site.Bat & Ball/Lloyds Bank. Here also negotiations are still on-going.

The Receiver for the former JVIP property development company has been contacted by TWBC who, after requests from the Society and Southborough Town Council, have placed the Bat & Ball on their new ‘Buildings at Risk’ register. As a result, strengthening of the site boundary protection was made, although not with any noticeable improvement.

The Weavers: The application, to remove ‘recent’ additions to the main building to permit constructions of two semi-detached two-storey houses, was approved. The total site is now being offered for sale for £900,000 plus VAT, but no offers have yet been made.

TWBC Draft Local Plan:

Further amendments to the Plan include:

a) confirming removal from the Green Belt of the Caenwood Farm/Speldhurst Road site;

b) limiting the named development sites in Southborough to Baldwin’s Lane

(the other in Kibbles Lane/Bright Ridge having already been developed)

c) emphasising the importance of converting the built area at Mabledon to a 5-star hotel.