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Shaping the borough, making a difference

Autumn 2019

New collections starting soon... Pg 10 –11

see inside

TW Lotto

Centre Pullout

Draft Local Plan

Pg 27–30

Theatre Guide

Follow the latest news at... TWellsCouncil TunbridgeWellsBoroughCouncil tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Horrible Histories
Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 October
assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
AssemblyHallTheatre ahttw AssemblyHallTheatre

Horrible Histories books are published by Scholastic Ltd. Horrible Histories is a trademark of Scholastic Inc. and is used under authorisation. All rights reserved. Illustration © Martin Brown.
 It’s a

BR I L L IA N T
day out!
!
NEW
orest
Rainfousel
Car W
NOEN
OP

RAINFOREST
carousel

At Alfriston just off the A27 near Eastbourne Call 01323 874100 www.drusillas.co.uk
 4–7
Welcome to Recycling

Autumn Local! 8–9

! Hello
This autumn edition has plenty to keep you up-to-date… from events, news
Climate

and initiatives to special features from our Recycling and Waste team and
the Planning team, the first of which is on pages 4–7 and has everything you
need to know about your bin collections from 30 September, and importantly,
10–11
TW Lotto
what you can recycle or dispose of in each bin. The second of our special
features is about the Draft Local Plan, containing eight pages of information
about where new housing and other developments could be located in the
borough, the reasons behind this and the timescales we are working to.
We’ve featured the dates of the forthcoming exhibition programme, so if you Centre Pullout
wish to come along and speak with officers, please take a look at the venues Draft Local Plan
near you. The consultation, and details about how to participate online
can also be found in the Draft Local Plan feature in the centre pullout.

As always, I hope you find your copy of Local magazine interesting

and informative. 22–23
Out and About
Lizzie Goodwin

Editor

24
Good News About Sunday Parking Museum
Parking on Sundays in Tunbridge Wells town centre will become a lot more
affordable from the 1 October. A three month trial follows a new joint
initiative between Royal Tunbridge Wells Together and
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
In five of the main car parks in the town centre, all day parking will reduce 26–29
in cost from £6.30 to just £2, ideal if you are staying Assembly Hall Theatre Guide
for lunch, doing some shopping or coming to see a
matinee at the theatre. visittunbridgewells.com

We produce Local to keep you up-to-date about Council services and news. If you have
any comments about the magazine, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us by:
E-mail: Local@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Phone: 01892 526121
Post: Lizzie Goodwin, Communications Manager, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Town Hall,
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS
TWellsCouncil TunbridgeWellsBoroughCouncil
To advertise, contact Space Marketing Ltd on 01892 677721 or e-mail davidh@spacemarketing.co.uk
Advertising helps to keep our costs down. We do not endorse the external products and services
advertised in Local.
The information in this publication was correct at the time of going to print.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or subsequent changes.

If you require Local magazine in large print or on audio please phone 01892 554273
TW1873 3
 RECYCLING

Starting from 3
Welcome to your new improve

How to use your bins and a guide to Recycling bin

what you can recycle with us.

Your new recycling collection service means everyone

You should use your brown bin for recycling after your last garden
can recycle more materials from home. waste collection. Homes that have not had a brown bin before
You should have received a tailored letter earlier in the will have one delivered in time for the start of the new service.
month to inform you of your collection day and which week
to put your recycling and refuse out. If you’ve not seen it,
What can go in the bin?
you can find out using the online checker below.
Some people may have two collections of the same bin type when
moving from the old service to the new.
If this affects your first collection you will be able to put out
extra if your bin is full:
• Refuse – in a bag next to the bin Glass bottles & jars Plastic bottles, clear or coloured (eg cleaning
(any colour) product bottles)
• Recycling – in a cardboard box or paper bag next to the bin

Recycling Refuse
Week Week Plastic food trays & punnets, not black
(eg meat/ready meals/fruit/veg) Food tins
• Food waste bin • Food waste bin
• Recycling bin • Refuse bin
• Textiles
• Green box (one small bag next to the bin)
• Batteries • Small electricals
(one small bag on top of the bin lid) (one small bag next to the bin)

Plastic pots & tubs

(eg butter/yoghurt/ice cream) Aerosols (empty)

Check your collection day

Use your postcode to

check your bin collection
Aluminium foil/foil
information online. Sweet/biscuit tins food trays Cans

tunbridgewells.gov.uk/new
Fortnightly collection
4 Please rinse items and place loose in the bin – no plastic bags
 RECYCLING

m 30 September
proved recycling collections

Green box Food waste bin

Paper & cardboard

How to use your food waste bins:

Please continue to use this green box for paper and
cardboard recycling only. 1 Your kitchen caddy If you line your kitchen
caddy, use newspaper,
paper bags or compostable
Use for all bags, look out for the
cooked and raw Seedling logo. If using
What can go in the box? compostable bags, please
leftover food. don’t tie the top as it takes
No packaging longer to compost. No
plastic bags, thank you. Compostable
please.

2 Your outside food waste bin

Gift wrap Corrugated White paper Empty the kitchen caddy into the outside food waste bin and
(non metallic) cardboard (eg office paper) lock the lid by moving the handle to the upright or forward
position. Put it out for collection every week next to your
other bins, where it can be clearly seen.

What can go in the bin?

Envelopes & Cardboard

greeting cards (eg cereal/egg boxes/shoe boxes)

Meat, fish
If you don’t & bones Fruit & vegetables
have a green
box please
contact us and
Newspapers, supplements, magazines, we will arrange
brochures, catalogues, phone directories, delivery.
leaflets & flyers
Dairy products Tea bags &
eg cheese Eggshells coffee grounds

Large cardboard boxes

These can be flattened or put next
to your green box on collection
day. Please remove tape where
possible, thank you. Bread, cakes Rice, pasta Leftover & uneaten
& pastries & beans food

Fortnightly collection Weekly collection

Please use a paper bag or cardboard box for shredded paper Please do not put liquids in the bin such as milk or oil 5
 RECYCLING

Starting from 3
Recycling Mor
Additional items
Refuse bin we collect
There will be new collections for textiles, small
electrical equipment and household batteries.
Please donate good quality items to charity.

Textiles: worn out clothing, towels, pillowcases

Please continue to use your existing green refuse bin etc. (no pillows or duvets). Refuse
for non-recyclable waste when the new service starts. Small electrical items: toasters, kettles, week
hairdryers, irons, electrical leads and chargers etc.

What can go in the bin? Please put your textiles and electricals out in small sized
separate bags (not black sacks or charity bags) next to the
refuse bin on collection day.

Batteries: small household batteries including

Recycling
button batteries (watch batteries) and batteries
week
from mobile phones and laptops.
Drink & food cartons Cling film &
Polystyrene (eg juice/soup) plastic wrapping
Please put your batteries in a small bag on top of the
recycling bin on collection day.

Please do not mix textiles, small electricals and batteries in the same
bag. We can only accept one small sized bag of each type per
house as there is limited space on the collection vehicle.
Black Crisp packets/sweet Bagged pet faeces &
plastic trays wrappers litter/bedding

Bulky waste
Your waste You can book a bulky waste collection through the
must be Council’s website.
contained in the
green bin with You can also take many items including garden waste to Kent
Plastic bags/ the lid closed, County Council’s Household Waste and Recycling centres,
plastic pouches Nappies & sanitary thank you. please visit kent.gov.uk/waste
(eg pet food) items Other materials accepted at these sites include cooking oil and
printer cartridges.

Most Household Waste Recycling Centres accept low energy light bulbs and
LEDs, along with wood, metals, and many other materials.
For more details please visit kent.gov.uk/waste
Assisted collections
If you need help putting your recycling and refuse out for
WE EMPTY ONE REFUSE BIN PER PROPERTY collection, please contact the Council’s Waste team for
more information.

Fortnightly collection
6
 RECYCLING

m 30 September
More Together

Garden waste Frequently

paid service asked questions

What about bank holidays?

se Please remember when the new service starts you will
We collect on all bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New
ek be unable to use any other bin for your garden waste. Year’s Day. For these collections please check our website in December.

What time should I put my bins out?

Already subscribed Please continue to put your bins out by 7am on your collection day.

If you have already subscribed, details about your new

What happens to the recycling?
fortnightly garden waste service will be sent to you. We
ling The contents of your recycling bin are taken to a facility where the materials
ek will let you know when to put your new black bin out for are separated and then sent on to reprocessers to make into new products.

collection.
What happens to the collected paper and
cardboard?
If you wish to subscribe Paper and cardboard are taken to a local mill to make into new paper and
cardboard based products.
It’s easy to sign up and pay online. Contact us at the web
address below. What happens to the collected food waste?
The food waste is taken to a local facility where it is composted using a natural
process which means it is safe to use as a soil improver on local farmers’ fields.
If you already compost at home, please continue to do so. You can use your
food waste collection for any food that you do not want to compost yourself.

What happens to the collected refuse?

The contents of your non-recyclable refuse bin are taken to the Energy From
Waste plant at Allington, where it is used to create electricity.

For more information

tunbridgewells.gov.uk/new 7
ENVIRONMENT
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has
Joined the Growing List of Councils Who Have
Declared a Climate Emergency.
At the Full Council meeting in July
Conservative councillor Jane March
and Labour’s Luke Everitt joined forces
to propose a motion which recognised
global climate and biodiversity
emergencies. Councillors were
supportive of the motion and agreed
that the goal should be to make the
borough carbon neutral by 2030.
Don’t Be Idle…
Switch off Your Engine
Following the launch of the Council’s
anti-idling campaign on National
Clean Air Day in June, we are
working with our partners to roll out
the campaign across a wider area.
We would encourage all drivers to
try to switch off their engines when
their vehicles are stationary, wherever
they are - not just outside schools - to
reduce pollution and to save money
on fuel.
Katie D of St Mark’s Primary School
Olivia M of St Mark’s Primary School
8
A cross-party task force will now take
this commitment forward. Members
will look at ways in which the Council
can reduce carbon emissions and make
a positive contribution to combating The task force will look at how partners and
climate change, including ensuring the wider community including businesses,
that forthcoming plans and strategies organisations and individuals can be
(including the new Local Plan) take encouraged to make their own contributions to
account of this. meeting the carbon neutral goal.
Cranbrook
Charging Points
Staff from the Council’s environmental
Cranbrook is ahead of many small towns in
protection team hope to visit events
doing its bit for the environment as it now boasts
across the borough over the coming
six charging points for electric vehicles in Jockey
year to promote the campaign and
Lane Car Park TN17 3JN. Having applied for
they want to identify the best locations
funding for the charging points from the Office
to place signs reminding drivers to
of Low Emission Vehicles, the parish council has
switch off their engines. If there are
gone a step further and arranged for an extra six
any places in the borough where you
on-road parking places so that the points can be
think motorists leave their engines
reserved exclusively for electric vehicles.
running for no reason please let us
know, ehadmin@midkent.gov.uk
The designs produced by
the winners of our design-
a-banner competition at St
Mark’s Primary School will
feature in the campaign,
and with the support of
members of our Clean Air
for Schools scheme we’ll
be asking parents and With Cranbrook mid-way between charging
carers who need to drive points in Tunbridge Wells and Tenterden it’s
to school to switch off their a reason to visit the pretty town and its
engines at the school gates. nearby attractions.
 ENVIRONMENT

Bring Banks
Over the next few months the number of bring
bank sites in the borough will be reduced, as
residents will be able to recycle glass bottles
and jars from home when the new recycling
service starts at the end of September.

Bring bank sites will remain at:

Commercial Road, Paddock Wood; Fowlers
Park, Hawkhurst; John Street car park;
Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre;
Crescent Road multi-storey car park.

Litter and Dog Fouling Enforcement

From late September a new littering and dog
fouling enforcement team will be operating
across the borough. You may remember that
previously, as well as the Street Scene team,
a private contractor carried out this service.
That arrangement finished some time ago and
we have decided to use the Council’s own
staff instead of appointing another company.
The new team will have powers to issue
a Fixed Penalty Notice to people who
litter or don’t clear up after their pet.
More about this in a future edition of Local,
but for the time being look out for officers
wearing blue vests clearly marked with the
Council logo and Littering Enforcement.

Light Pollution
Do you have security lights around your home?
The benefits of these lights are more obvious at this time of year
as the nights draw in, and that extra illumination on paths
and entrances can be very welcome and reassuring.
Poorly directed lights however may not be welcomed by
neighbouring properties if, for example, lights are shining
directly into a bedroom window. Intrusive lights may
be considered a nuisance and the Council may
investigate complaints about artificial lights and
has powers to issue an abatement notice.
Correctly installed security lights should not
cause a nuisance so please make sure they
illuminate only the area intended and
adjust them so that they only pick up Dark Skies
movement of people in that area. Dark skies are places where you can nocturnal animals. The Draft Local
look at the night sky without light Plan includes a proposed new policy
pollution that you might get from which addresses this in rural areas.
street lights or lights from buildings. You can read more about this in
the supplement in the centre pages
Light pollution can harm the and online. Please participate in
character of an area and can cause the Draft Local Plan consultation
problems for wildlife especially and let us have your views.

9
TW LOTTO

Supporting local
good causes
Our very own lotto has just celebrated its second birthday,
and at the same time we welcomed on board another good
cause, bringing our total to 71! That’s 71 organisations
supporting residents of all ages in our borough.

Since we started in 2017, £75,000 has been raised for

local good causes, and so far this year we are on track
to achieve over £35,000. This is only possible with the
generous support from people participating, so on behalf
of all the good causes – a big thank you to everyone who is
supporting TW Lotto.

Here’s what a few of t

‘Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club is very proud to be
a supporter of the TW Lotto and promotes the lotto to
its members. TWLTC, itself a registered charity, raises
in excess of £900 per year from being part of the TW
Lotto, which is great as we are able to use the money
raised to further benefit the club for its members and
the local community. We’d love one of our members to
win big but you’ve got to be in it to win it!’
– Alison Dry, Assistant Manager of TWLTC
‘The funds generated by the TW Lotto continue
to help us develop our education programme
and this year allowed us to design and produce
our Maya’s Mission leaflet and stickers that
delivered educational messages on endangered
big cats and sustainable purchasing to 1,000s
of local children across our Open Days.‘
– James Hanaway, Head of Development of
The Big Cat Sanctuary

Just £1 per ticket each week, and 60 per cent of proceeds

benefit the good causes. People are winning every week,
but could you be our next £25,000 jackpot winner?
10
 TW LOTTO

All of the good causes are doing great things

for our community, from helping young people,
the elderly and those suffering with illness, to
sport, activity clubs or caring for animals.

It’s a simple way for good causes to raise additional funds

and promote what they do - without tons of admin!

You can see the full list of good causes

on the TW Lotto website.

Easy for good causes to join…

If you know of good causes that you think would benefit
from being part of TW Lotto, then why not encourage
them to sign up? Registering is very simple and once the
application has been approved by the Council, you’re all set
to start promoting to your supporters.

of them have to say...

‘Monies raised are used for our social inclusion
projects. In the summer, we take our customers to
the seaside for the day; in December we do Christmas
dinner and in between, we do a lunch club. Many
elderly people are isolated and these projects get
them out of their homes. Thank you for helping us
make a difference to others’ lives.’
– Lorraine Ash, Regional Manager of
Community Car Service
‘We are so thankful to be part of the TW Lotto. Money
raised has enabled us to support our communities by
setting up preventative campaigns to keep vulnerable
people safe and training our search teams in search
and rescue skills. We have also been able to buy
protective clothing for searchers to keep them safe
whilst searching for vulnerable and missing people.’
– Jane Haselden, Recruitment Secretary of
Kent Search and Rescue

TWLotto.co.uk 11
COUNCIL
Annual Canvass of electors
CANVASSERS MAY CALL AT
YOUR HOME
The Elections team would like to thank
all of you who responded before the
deadline. By doing this you have reduced
the cost of running the annual canvass of
all households in the borough and we don’t
need to send a canvasser to visit you.
If you haven’t responded to your Household
Enquiry Form yet, don’t worry, help is on
its way. From 20 September our canvassers
will be visiting properties that haven’t
responded and they will help you
complete your form.
All Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s
canvassers will be wearing their
official identification so please ask
to check it if you are at all unsure
who is calling at your home.
Go to householdresponse.com/twbc
You will need the security codes and post code
provided on the front page of your form.
Weald Information Centre Cranbrook
Following a comprehensive review
early in 2018 of the numbers of visitors
and the types of enquiries the Council
was receiving face to face at the Weald
Information Centre (WIC) in Cranbrook, we
took the decision to gradually reduce our
opening hours. Visitor numbers have been
declining significantly as more and more
people are choosing to use our convenient
online services, or to contact us by phone.
Consequently it does not represent the
best use of resources to have a full time
presence at WIC when so few customers
are actually coming through the doors.
From 1 October 2019 to 31 March 2020
we will see customers on Wednesdays only
at WIC by pre-booked appointment. An
appointment can be arranged by calling
the Council’s Customer Service Team on
12
We carry out the annual canvass because
the Council has a legal responsibility to
If the information needs updating, such
as people moving in or out, you can
maintain the electoral register and review respond online or complete the paper form.
it each year to make sure it has an up-to- Responding online is quicker, no need to
date register of electors eligible to vote. visit a post box, and you can guarantee
that your response has reached us.
If you haven’t responded and
you don’t want a canvasser to More information about the annual canvass
visit you there is still time to: and voting is available at
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/council/
Respond to your form
voting-and-elections
If the information provided on your form
is correct and there are no changes to be
made, we recommend you respond online,
by text or by
Freephone. It is
quick and easy
and you can
rest assured that
we will receive
your response.
Or, text NOCHANGE followed by your
security codes to 80212.
Or, call 0800 197 9871.
01892 526121. From 1 April 2020 the From 30 September 2019 the
Council will no longer provide a service library opening hours are:
at WIC and all customer enquiries
will be assessed initially by phone Monday Closed
and if an appointment is absolutely 10am – 1pm
Tuesday
necessary, this will be arranged. 2pm – 5pm
10am – 1pm
A range of facilities is available at Wednesday
2pm – 5pm
Cranbrook Library, such as:
10am – 1pm
● Public wi-fi Thursday
2pm – 5pm
● A4 B&W and colour printer
● A4 B&W and colour photocopier 10am – 1pm
Friday
● Scanner 2pm – 5pm
● Fax Saturday 10am – 2pm
The library is free to join and in addition In the meantime, if you have any questions
to the above offers a wide range of or concerns about the Weald Information
services - from free access to books, Centre, please contact Denise Shortall,
computers, internet and information, to Customer Service Manager:
the hire of music, audio books and films. 01892 554218
denise.shortall@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
 The Council has prepared a new Draft Local Plan for public consultation, drawing on
responses to the earlier ‘Issues and Options’ document and further evidence gathering.

This is an outline of the Draft Local Plan, explaining where more details can be found and how to comment.

You can see the Draft Local Plan in full at

tunbridgewells.gov.uk/localplan
The Draft Local Plan proposes a new planning strategy up to 2036, with corresponding
development sites and policies. These are in draft form to give residents, businesses and
others the opportunity to contribute to the plan-making process. Have your say!

For details of the Exhibition Programme and how to make comments see back page.

Consultatio
n
period:
20 Septemb
er –
1 Novembe
r
2019
DRAFT LOCAL PLAN
WHY IS THE
LOCAL PLAN
NEEDED?
Planning law and national policy
require the Council to produce
a Local Plan that looks ahead for
at least 15 years, and to review
it at least every five years to take
account of changing circumstances.
Without an up-to-date Local Plan,
development will come forward
in an unplanned way that may not
deliver the important necessary
infrastructure or meet local priorities.
2
WHAT IS IN THE
DRAFT LOCAL
PLAN?
The Draft Local Plan aims to meet
the need for new homes and Proposed Development Strategy
economic growth in a way that which balances these objectives –
retains both the key environmental see page 3
and historic attributes of the
borough and its overall quality as
a great place to live and work. Place-shaping policies for
Government says that the borough’s different parts of the borough –
overall housing need is 678 dwellings see pages 4, 5 and 6
per year – more than double the
current target of 300 per year. Detailed policies, covering
Therefore, the Draft Local Plan key themes, such as affordable
puts forward new sites for future housing, transport, capacity of
housing. In doing this, it also makes infrastructure, and contributing to
provision for new job opportunities climate change objectives –
and for the infrastructure needed see page 7
to support development. There
are also a range of policies to
ensure that development properly
conserves and enhances the
special character of the borough.

WHERE MAY
I SEE A COPY
OF THE DRAFT
LOCAL PLAN?
The Draft Local Plan, its Sustainability
Appraisal and Draft Infrastructure
Delivery Plan, as well as supporting
topic papers (which provide further
explanation of the approaches
proposed) and evidence studies are all
available to view online here
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/localplan
Paper copies of the main
documents may be seen at the
following locations during normal
opening hours:
● Tunbridge Wells Gateway,
8 Grosvenor Road, Royal
Tunbridge Wells TN1 2AB
● Your local town or parish council
● Your local library
DRAFT LOCAL PLAN
WHY IS THIS
DRAFT PLAN SO
DETAILED?
The Council considers it is best
to consult at this stage on a full
draft, so there is absolute clarity
on the sites and policies which are
being proposed. The responses
received during the consultation
will be considered when the
Council decides whether to make
amendments to the Draft Local
Plan - and what the amendments
should be – before progressing to
the final stages of agreeing the Plan.

THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

The Council is committed to ensuring
that the borough has a positive,
prosperous and more environmentally
sustainable future for its residents,
businesses and visitors.
Preparing a new Local Plan that meets
this commitment presents substantial
challenges, not least in reconciling
the need for development with the
borough’s highly valued assets.
The Draft Local Plan proposes to
meet development needs as much
as possible within the context of the
various constraints in the borough,
including the Green Belt, Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
and areas of flooding.
The strategy provides support for
the development of brownfield
sites in and around settlements,
and makes allowance for small
unidentified ‘windfall’ sites
continuing to come forward.
There is little scope for growth
outside the High Weald AONB or the
Metropolitan Green Belt (that
extends around Royal Tunbridge
Wells and up to the western edge of
Paddock Wood), which together cover
some 75 per cent of the borough.
Therefore, following assessment of
the contribution of land to Green
Belt objectives, a relatively small
proportion - about 5.3 per cent - is
being released for development.
Most notably, this is for major
new or enlarged settlements to be
delivered through a masterplanned
approach, applying garden
settlement principles - see page 6.
An assessment of the capacity for
larger developments in towns and
villages within the AONB found some
scope spread across a number of
settlements. However, there is not
enough scope to also accommodate
any unmet housing needs from
adjoining local authorities.
3
DRAFT LOCAL PLAN
Southborough
● Approx 50-120 dwellings on
allocated sites, plus 85 which
already have planning permission
● The Southborough Hub
KEY DIAGRAM AND M
Pembury
● Approx 280 dwellings on five
sites, plus 19 which already Land at Capel and Paddock
have planning permission Wood, and Tudeley – page 6
● New car sales complex
● New road to run parallel to
the A228 (Colts Hill bypass)

Speldhurst
● Approx 18 dwellings on one site

Royal Tunbridge Wells

● Approx 780 dwellings allocated on
17 sites, plus 440 dwellings which
already have planning permission
● 14 hectare business park with
over 80,000 sqm floorspace
● New secondary school and two
primary schools extended Rusthall
● New sports hub ● Approx 15 dwellings on one site

● New cultural and leisure facilities

● Major new business park Lamberhurst
adjoining North Farm
● Approx 55 dwellings on two sites

4
4
D MAIN PROPOSALS DRAFT LOCAL PLAN

Brenchley & Matfield

● Approx 121 dwellings on four sites
Horsmonden
● Approx 265 dwellings on
three allocated sites
● Horsmonden is outside the AONB,
which has been a factor in the
amount of housing allocated here
Frittenden
● Approx 28 dwellings on one site
Cranbrook & Sissinghurst
● Approx 697 dwellings in Cranbrook
and Hartley (which includes approx
225 at land adjacent to the Crane
Valley allocated in the current Local
Plan), and 64 which already have
planning permission
● Approx 108 dwellings at Sissinghurst
and a replacement village hall

Benenden
● Approx 43 dwellings at
Benenden, plus 12 which already
have planning permission
● Approx 47 dwellings at East End
(outside the AONB) plus 22 which
have planning permission
● Site allocations correspond
with those in the Benenden
Neighbourhood Plan
● Removal of Limits to Built
Development at Iden Green

Hawkhurst
● Approx 681 dwellings, plus 25
which already have planning
permission
● At Highgate, the provision of a new
link road across the Hawkhurst Golf
Goudhurst Course, enabling the closure of the
● 25 dwellings, all of which already northern arm of the crossroads
have planning permission ● New village hall, doctor’s surgery,
Sandhurst
● Removal of Limits to Built parking and expansion of Gill’s
● Approx 24 dwellings on two sites
Development at Kilndown Green employment area

5
5
DRAFT LOCAL PLAN
STRATEGIC SITES
LAND AT CAPEL AND PADDOCK WOOD, AND TUDELEY
Tudeley
As well as the 4,000 new homes
for Capel and Paddock Wood (see
opposite) the Draft Local Plan
proposes a garden village at Tudeley
of up to 2,800 homes, to include
employment and other facilities.
It is anticipated that 1,900 of these
homes will be built before 2036.
A masterplan approach with
community involvement is key
to this proposal.
Infrastructure
The Council recognises that growth
needs appropriate infrastructure to
support it, and for this to be delivered
in line with development.
6
Land at Capel & Paddock Wood
Capel and Paddock Wood
The Draft Local Plan proposes
additional employment and
approximately 4,000 new homes
on land at Capel and Paddock
Wood, including a rejuvenated
Paddock Wood town centre.
In 2018 the government published a
new garden settlement prospectus
which may be seen on the Council’s
website. It said that garden towns and
villages should be vibrant, creative
and affordable communities.
The requirement for the timely delivery
of infrastructure - such as schools,
health facilities, community facilities,
sports provision, cultural facilities and
the natural environment - to be funded
by developers, is a clear thread that
runs through the Draft Local Plan.
The Draft Local Plan proposes that
the design and layout of the new
settlements in Capel and Paddock
Wood are masterplanned on these
garden settlement principles,
with the community involved
and engaged in the process.
There are considerable challenges to
this masterplan approach, including
how flooding and transport issues
are addressed. Equally it represents
great opportunities to revitalise
Paddock Wood town centre and the
surrounding area, and to ensure that
these developments are planned
comprehensively from the outset.
The masterplanning of strategic sites
would allow infrastructure to be
planned strategically and holistically.
Throughout the preparation of the
Draft Local Plan the Council has been
liaising with infrastructure providers to
identify what will be required and when.

The Draft Local Plan contains new and updated planning policies
against which future planning applications may be determined.
Some key policies are:
Economic Development
● Identification of key employment
areas and retention of existing
sites
● Provision for business, tourism
and recreation development in
rural areas
● More flexible approaches to
commercial centres, including
more support for the retention of
local shops and services
Housing
● Increased affordable housing
provision on larger greenfield
sites and financial contributions
from smaller sites, with higher
levels to be provided as social
rented housing
● New policy promoting the
housing needs of older people
● Updated policies for householder
proposals
All key infrastructure schemes and
requirements are identified in the
Draft Infrastructure Delivery Plan
which can be seen here
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/localplan
DRAFT LOCAL PLAN
POLICY THEMES
Environment Transport
● New design policy ● Further promotion of active
travel (walking and cycling)
● New targets for more
sustainable buildings, adaptive ● Increased parking standards
to climate change
● Safeguarding land for road and
● Requirements to conserve rail schemes
heritage assets
● New approach promoting dark
Open Space, Sport and
skies in rural areas
Recreation
● New, positive approach to
biodiversity, including principle ● Identification of existing
of net gains open space areas and
facilities to be protected
● Over 200 Local Green Space
designations across many ● Standards for new publicly
accessible open space
settlements
and recreation alongside
● Wide-ranging recognition of new development
landscape quality, including the
AONB
● New green infrastructure policy
and supporting framework
Key elements of infrastructure include:
● Two new secondary schools ● A new road to run parallel to the
A228 (Colts Hill bypass)
(between Tonbridge and Tudeley,
and at Spratsbrook, south of Royal ● Flood mitigation measures,
Tunbridge Wells) particularly at Capel and Paddock
Wood
7
 EXHIBITION PROGRAMME
DATE VENUE PARISHES COVERED TIME
Capel Community Centre,
Saturday 21 September Capel, Paddock Wood 10am – 2pm
Falmouth Place, Five Oak Green
Mascalls School, Maidstone
Tuesday 24 September Capel, Paddock Wood 4.30pm – 8pm
Road, Paddock Wood
Royal Victoria Place, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Bidborough,
Thursday 26 September 12pm – 7pm
Royal Tunbridge Wells* Rusthall, Southborough, Speldhurst
Benenden; Cranbrook & Sissinghurst,
Friday 27 September Vestry Hall, Cranbrook 4pm – 7pm
Frittenden
Royal Victoria Place, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Bidborough,
Saturday 28 September 10am – 3pm
Royal Tunbridge Wells* Rusthall, Southborough, Speldhurst
British Legion, Unity Hall,
Monday 30 September Hawkhurst, Sandhurst 4pm – 7pm
Hawkhurst
Village Hall, Back Lane,
Tuesday 1 October Brenchley & Matfield, Horsmonden 4pm – 7pm
Horsmonden
Village Hall, 49 High Street,
Wednesday 2 October Pembury 4pm – 7pm
Pembury
Mascalls School, Maidstone
Thursday 3 October Capel, Paddock Wood 4.30pm – 8pm
Road, Paddock Wood
Village Hall, The Broadway,
Friday 4 October Goudhurst, Lamberhurst 4pm – 7pm
Lamberhurst
*check Local Plan website for exact location within the shopping centre

COMMENTING NEXT STEPS

ON THE DRAFT
LOCAL PLAN
It’s quick and easy to comment online.
Alternatively, a comments form can
be downloaded.
For details of how to comment, see
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/localplan
Comments must be received by 5pm
on Friday 1 November 2019.
All comments received within this
period will be considered and will
inform the final, pre-submission
version of the new Local Plan.

8
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T2791 JS 2019 AUG Tunbridge 94x233.indd 1 29/07/2019 14:22

OUT AND ABOUT
Cranbrook Museum
‘best kept secret in Kent’
Exhibition continuing throughout September
Cranbrook Colony:
Focus on F.D.Hardy.
Have you explored Cranbrook Museum
recently? If the answer is no, it is definitely
worth a visit soon!
Some of the finest treasures on your
doorstep; so whether you’re interested in
local history or wanting to see and learn
something new, pop in one afternoon.
The Cranbrook Colony of Artists shows how
people lived in the 1800s, through the eyes
of local artists. Rare birds from The Boyd
Happy Anniversary, Twinning!
The Tunbridge Wells Twinning
& Friendship Association is
marking the 30th anniversary
of the formal signing of the Twinning
Agreement between Tunbridge Wells and
Wiesbaden in Germany with a celebratory
music concert – and everyone is welcome!
The Association has teamed up with the
town’s International Music Festival and
presents ‘Wigmore Hall music comes to
Trinity!’ on Saturday 28 September at 7.30pm,
at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells.
22
Alexander Collection are on display and
you’ll be taken back to the Bygone industry
with Cranbrook’s famous Broadcloth,
and memories of earlier rural life are
evident when hop growing was
dominant in the area.
The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday,
from 2-4.30pm until the end of October,
when it will close until the spring.
Free admission. Find out more at
cranbrookmuseum.org or 01580 712929.
Michael Collins, one of the world’s
great clarinettists, and star international
pianist, Michael McHale, will provide
an evening of top-quality classical music
with works by famous German, French
and British composers and featuring the
dazzling virtuosity of top-class musicians.
Tickets are £19 (with some concessions
available), bookable by phone
01892 678678, or at the Trinity Box
Office or at trinitytheatre.net/events/
wigmore-hall-music-comes-to-trinity
Come and enjoy a real musical treat!
© Tomoko Hidaki ‘Spring Festival in Tokyo’

Tunbridge
Wells Puppetry
Festival returns!
11–13 October
Royal Tunbridge Wells will be filled with
puppetry in all its forms when the third
Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival returns
to the town. This colourful celebration of
live performance and creativity is back with
three days of ticketed and free shows, talks,
an exhibition, workshops and street theatre
from local, national and international
artists, many performing in the UK for the
first time. Expect an even bigger and more
varied line-up, with funny, touching and
thought-provoking performances taking
place at venues across the town centre.
Covering everything from flying kites and
giant trees, to Moomins, Snarks and aerial
acrobatics, there’s something for everyone.
As one of only five puppetry festivals
in England, Tunbridge Wells Puppetry
Festival has continued to grow in size and
Heritage Open Days
in Tunbridge Wells
Thursday 13 – Sunday 22 September
Heritage Open Days are here again and
there’s more than ever on offer in and
around Tunbridge Wells.
New this year is the Quaker Meeting House
in Royal Tunbridge Wells and the Science
Room at Salomons in Southborough.
This year’s programme includes back stage
theatre tours and fun activities for children.
Stained glass enthusiasts will enjoy the
High Victorian Burne Jones windows
Details, dates and times tunbridgewellsheritageopendays.org
OUT AND ABOUT
popularity since it began back in 2015,
building Kent’s reputation as a centre
for puppetry excellence. With partnership
support from Arts Council England, Royal
Tunbridge Wells Together, Kent County
Council and with collaboration from the
Office for Cultural and Scientific Affairs of
The Spanish Embassy, this year’s festival is
also being supported by the generosity of
many local community organisations and twpuppetryfestival.org
businesses. Visit twpuppetryfestival.org to facebook.com/twpuppetryfestival
see the full programme and to book. Tickets Twitter: @twpuppetryfest
start at just £5. All the outdoor shows and Instagram: instagram.com/twpuppetryfest
street theatre happening on The Pantiles
and at the Millennium Clock are free.
A Starring Role
The Nevill Cricket Ground in Royal Tunbridge
Wells had a busy summer season. As well as
playing host to Kent County Cricket Club for
the annual Tunbridge Wells Cricket Festival,
at Speldhurst and Chagall’s modernist the ground was also used as a location for a
memorials at All Saints, Tudeley. The film being made about India’s 1983 Cricket
top cemetery tour is at Woodbury Park World Cup achievement.
where there are ornate tombs of heroes
of empire and Victorian dignitaries –
including Jane Austen’s brother.
Outdoor possibilities include a free steam
train ride on the Spa Valley Railway to High
Rocks, and Southborough Archaeological
Society’s dig off Vauxhall Lane.
Cricket historians will know that the
Indian captain Kapil Dev scored an
unbeaten 175 runs in the game against
Zimbabwe at the Nevill and set the course
for India’s final victory. The film is due to be
released next year.
23
MUSEUM
Discovery
Days
From Royal Tunbridge
Wells to Scotland
Pictures from the museum’s
collection feature in new exhibition
Four works by George Smart the tailor
of Frant are currently on loan to the
National Galleries of Scotland for Cut
And Paste: 400 Years Of Collage.
English Folk Artist, George Smart, 1774
– 1846, created unique collage pictures
that depicted local characters and
landscapes. The pictures have been in the
Tunbridge Wells collection since the 1950s
and we are delighted that they are now
being viewed by a new audience.
Visitors to Cut And Paste: 400
Years Of Collage will see more
than 250 works that span a
period of more than 400 years. If
you have a chance to see it the
exhibition is on until 27 October.
24
Discovery Days returns
this October Half Term!
Get ready to explore the
history of Ancient Egypt.
The Council’s Cultural Team will be
there with Ancient Egyptian artefacts
to help young people discover more
about this fascinating period in history
and enjoy art and craft activities.
These drop-in sessions are FREE
and there is no need to book.
Dates and locations to be confirmed,
check @TWellsCouncil for updates.
Fundraising
The Friends of Tunbridge Wells Museum, Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery
Library and Art Gallery are working hard to is currently closed for redevelopment,
raise funds towards the conservation of our and is due to reopen as part of The
Georgian sack–back robe, petticoat and Amelia at the Amelia Scott in 2021.
stomacher allegedly worn at the court of
King George III. The gown originally The gown will be highlighted in the new
belonged to Lady Hester Matravers, wife of ‘Portrait and Costume Gallery’ where
Lord William Seymour of Easterton (son of the story of Georgian Tunbridge Wells
the 8th Duke of Somerset). The Friends and its people will be explored.
have been successful in securing £1,500
from The Leche Trust, and £250 from
Tunbridge Wells Civic Society – the
Council extends its sincere thanks for these
generous donations.
The gown entered the Museum & Art
Gallery’s collection in 1959, together with a
matching gentleman’s suit, and has
captured our visitors’ imaginations ever
since. It is currently featured as part of the
‘100 objects that made Kent’, a curriculum-
based web resource for teachers. The
gown illustrates the type of fashionable
dress worn by visitors to Tunbridge Wells
when promenading on The Pantiles in its
Georgian heyday. According to
contemporary guidebooks, ‘the general
desire of all was to see and be seen’.
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25
ENTERTAINMENT

Assembly Hall Theatre

Autumn 2019 | Guide
For all the latest shows and events or to join our
mailing list to receive news, information and show
announcements, including our digital brochure,
visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
And don’t forget to follow us on social media
AssemblyHallTheatre ahttw
AssemblyHallTheatre
Rhod Gilbert
The Book of John
Wednesday 18 September
Horrible Histories
The Legend of Barry White Terrible Tudors & Awful Egyptians
Thursday 19 September Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 October

Henning Wehn
Get On With It
Thursday 10 October

Get Ready
Saturday 12 October

King of Pop
The Legend Continues
Sunday 20 October

Stagecoach Haywards Heath

Sunday 27 October

Ben Elton Live

Monday 28 October
Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
Howard Shelley Russian State Ballet
The Nutcracker
Sunday 29 September
Tuesday 29 October

Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra Russell Kane

lines up another exciting season of concerts. The Fast and the Curious
Friday 1 November
26
 ENTERTAINMENT
Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
Amy Harman
Sunday 3 November

Kevin Bloody Wilson

Almost Awesome Tour
Monday 4 November

One Night of Queen

Thursday 7 November

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

Friday 8 November
Saturday 7 December – Sunday 5 January
An Evening with Lenny Henry
Who Am I, Again? Flying into Tunbridge Wells for Christmas 2019 is the
Friday 15 November swash-buckling adventure guaranteed to have you hooked!
Fastlove
A Tribute to George Michael Starring Paul Bradley (Holby City), Quinn Patrick (Tunbridge
Wells favourite dame), Lloyd Warbey (Disney’s Art Attack),
Sunday 17 November
Holly Atterton (Nick Junior’s Go Go Go)
Psychic Sally and Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks).
10 Years and Counting
Monday 18 November

Ed Byrne Lost in Music

If I’m Honest
Thursday 30 January 2020
Friday 22 November

Respect TEDx
The Aretha Franklin Songbook
Saturday 1 February 2020
Saturday 23 November
Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
Opera Gala
Sunday 2 February 2020

Milton Jones
Milton: Impossible
Wednesday 5 February 2020

German Cornejo’s Tango Fire

Friday 14 February 2020
Tunbridge Wells Operatic and Dramatic Society
Made in Dagenham Jimmy Carr
Terribly Funny
Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 November
Wednesday 26 February 2020
27
ENTERTAINMENT

ELO Again Beyond the Barricade

Friday 28 February 2020 Sunday 26 April 2020

Believe Jools Holland and his

The Cher Songbook Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Saturday 29 February 2020 Wednesday 29 – Thursday 30 April
Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
Martin James Bartlett Mozart & Bruckner
Sunday 1 March 2020 Sunday 3 May 2020

What’s Love Got To Do With It? Hello Again

A Tina Turner Tribute The Story of Neil Diamond
Friday 6 March 2020 Wednesday 6 May 2020

Havana Nights The Bootleg Beatles

Saturday 7 March 2020 Thursday 11 June 2020

Russian State Opera Luther UK

Aida A Luther Vandross Celebration
Monday 30 March 2020 Friday 18 September 2020
Giovanni Pernice
This Is Me
The World Famous Elvis Show
Saturday 19 September 2020
Wednesday 1 April 2020
Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Gould The Magic of Motown
Sunday 5 April 2020 Friday 2 October 2020

Burn the Floor

Anything You Can Do...
Bowie Experience
Saturday 3 October 2020
Wednesday 15 April 2020

28
Cranbrook Pop-up Arts Workshop
Samba Music Workshop
Vestry Hall, Cranbrook • Thursday 24 October, 1pm-3.30pm
We are excited to deliver this pop up arts workshop with ‘Sounds Like’ Community Music and Bloco Fogo.
Come feel the rhythm with this Samba Music Workshop, trying your hand at Samba percussion instruments
used by Bloco Fogo Samba group, and show off your newly found skills with a mini performance at the end.
Recommended for those aged 8-16.
Tickets £5, to book visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
Limited to 30 participants, book early to avoid disappointment.

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
AssemblyHallTheatre ahttw AssemblyHallTheatre

29
COMMUNITY

Events in and Around Fungal Foray, Dunorlan Park

Saturday 26 October

Tunbridge Wells
The borough is a great place to live, work
and visit, not least because there’s always
lots happening with events taking place
all year round.
The week Local is delivered coincides with
the second High Weald Walking Festival
running until 22 September so time to get out
in the fresh air and explore your local area.
Royal Tunbridge Wells Food and
Drink Festival, Calverley Grounds
Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 September
Jazz on the Pantiles
Thursday 26 September
Perhaps this is the year you’ll visit the
Cranbrook Apple Fair? A very family
friendly outdoor event with lots of
entertainment and the remarkable Red
Barrows. Also in Cranbrook is the Art Show,
showcasing local artists. Taking place in
November this is one of the most popular
art events in the south east.
Prince Albert WEA seminar, King
Charles the Martyr Church Hall
Saturday 28 September
Farmers Market,
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Saturday 28 September
TWFC v Beckenham Town,
Culverden Stadium
Saturday 5 October
CAMRA Beer and Cider Festival,
Spa Valley Railway
Friday 18 Oct – Sun 20 October
TW Round Table Fireworks,
Dunorlan Park
Saturday 2 November
TWRFC v Sevenoaks,
St Mark’s Recreation Ground
Saturday 9 November
Shopping Through The Ages in
England, Civic Society,
Royal Wells Hotel
Thursday 12 December
There’s too much going on to detail it
all here. You’ll find information about
all these events and a comprehensive
list on tunbridgewellsevents.co.uk

Better Broadband
in Tunbridge Wells
Superfast broadband coverage in the If you are interested in exploring
borough is currently at 93.1 per cent, how to use the vouchers in your
and Kent County Council is leading local community, please contact
on work to improve this. broadband@kent.gov.uk.
While broadband speeds are improving
Future investment is planned in
there is still a way to go to get superfast
Tunbridge Wells, with
(24mbps) speeds in the rural areas of
more information to be
Tunbridge Wells. The Government is
announced soon!
currently running two voucher schemes
which businesses and/or residents can apply
Criteria Gigabit Broadband Voucher Rural Gigabit Voucher
in order to improve their broadband speeds.
To find out more about the schemes and to UK Wide ✔ ✔
check whether you are eligible, please visit Current >2 and <30 Mb/s ✔ ✔
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme
Current >30 Mb/s & not Gb capable ✔ ✗
gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk
and/or Rural Gigabit Connectivity Minimum new speed 100 Mb/s 30 Mb/s
programme New must be Gigabit capable ✔ ✔
gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/rural Max voucher value for SME business £2,500 £3,500
Max voucher value resident £500 £1,500
Some areas of the borough, including Minimum value £500 £500
Frittenden and Colliers Green, are exploring Included in voucher
setting up Community Fibre Partnerships VAT Not paid by voucher
for residents only
with Openreach and Kent County Council. Businesses eligible ✔ ✔
These partnerships can then collectively Group schemes only
apply for vouchers for their area, as Residents eligible ✔
1 business: 10 residential
long as residents are signed up to the Single Connection (Standard
appropriate Internet Service Providers. Pre Registered Package) ✔ ✗
Group Schemes (Project Pre
30 Registered Package) ✔ ✔