Agenda item

Presentation by Economic Regeneration Officer; Planning Policy Manager and Head of Leisure (Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council)

The Economic Regeneration Officer, the Head of Leisure and the Planning Policy Manager provided an overview of the regeneration and investment activity in Tonbridge over recent years; advised of upcoming initiatives and updated on progress on the emerging Local Plan.

Projects delivered recently to improve the appearance of the town and transport access included work and investment on the High Street, the Memorial Gardens, Town Lock, River Walk and Haysden Country Park.   An expanded range of uses and promotion of mixed use development had seen new investment in leisure facilities, greater choice of food and drink outlets and new retail opportunities provided at Cannon Lane.  In addition, a number of events and activities, including the Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival, contributed to the overall character of the town.  It was reported that by encouraging sufficient footfall into Tonbridge the business and economic regeneration of the town continued to be supported.

Future investment opportunities included improvements at Tonbridge station, increasing capacity of the Leigh Flood Storage Area to protect homes and business and an ongoing review of the Borough Council’s property assets.  It was noted that the sale of the Teen and Twenty site had enabled the potential provision of a first class medical facility for the town.   Services previously provided at this site had been successfully moved to the Tonbridge Youth Hub. 

With regard to the Local Plan, the first major public consultation had concluded in November 2016 with 1,117 responses and 2,482 representations received.  Members of the Borough Council’s Planning and Transportation Advisory Board had received regular updates on the detail and progress of the Local Plan. 

Particular reference was made to recent Government proposals to introduce a standard methodology for estimating future housing needs in Spring 2018.  Unfortunately, these proposals could have adverse implications on the Borough Councils’ Local Plan programme.  

As a result of this new methodology the housing need for Tonbridge and Malling increased by 163 new homes a year. Over the 20 year plan this equated to an additional 2,360 homes and represented a significant challenge.

The Borough Council would continue to prepare the Local Plan, update any evidence as necessary and look at options for meeting the anticipated housing need.  Due to the Government proposals it was expected that public consultation on a draft Plan would be later than originally planned and was likely to be late summer 2018.

In response to a question related to the percentage of housing delivered in Tonbridge it was indicated that this represented approximately 25% of that built throughout Tonbridge and Malling.

A number of organisations, including the Civic Society and Women’s Institute, expressed concern about the provision for older persons within the town and felt it was important to reflect the needs of this demographic appropriately.  In addition to improving the provision of care homes there was a need to provide smaller accommodation so that people could continue to live independently and downsize.

Particular reference was made to the reduced number of public toilets in the town and the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services indicated that general provision of these would be reviewed in due course.  One option being explored was for local traders to sign up to a ‘community toilet’ scheme.  Participating businesses would publicise their toilets for public use, which it was hoped would remove the embarrassment some older persons felt when asking to use the facilities.

Members of the Forum asked Kent County Council to consider the following points in relation to Cannon Lane:

-        Review traffic movements and consider what traffic control options could be implemented for the safety of pedestrians;

-        Improve pedestrian crossings as the introduction of the new retail units had increased footfall to the site;

-        Look at opportunities to improve cycling facilities or providing separate cycle lanes

The Women’s Institute suggested that two hours free parking could attract extra visitors to the town.  In response, the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services reminded Members that there was free evening and Sunday parking in Tonbridge.  Charges for car parking were also noted as being about managing parking and traffic movement.

Finally, the Tonbridge Town Team commented that events were a good way to encourage visitors to the town and announced that within the town centre it would be organising an English Civil War re-enactment in May 2018.  It was hoped that activities of this type would help support the various businesses in the town.