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Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 24/4 of the
Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee in
respect of the Tonbridge Town Centre Asset Review.
 
Due
regard was given to the detailed reports and assessments provided
by the external consultant, Mace, together with the views expressed
by the Scrutiny Select Committee. 
 
It
was suggested that the membership of the Town
Centre Programme Board be the Cabinet Member
for Climate Change, Regeneration and Property, Cabinet Member for
Community Services, Councillors Athwal, Bridge, Hood and Mehmet.
 
RESOLVED: That
 
(1)           
the Phase 2 reports from Mace be noted;
 
(2)           
in order to facilitate efficient and consistent
decision making, Officers be instructed to develop terms of
reference for a Tonbridge Town Centre Programme Board (as set out
in 1.3.6, 1.3.7 and Annex 6) for Cabinet approval and the
membership of the Board as above, be noted;
 
(3)           
the Borough Councils general approach to parking
should be to provide unallocated parking spaces between the current
970 and anticipated future peak demand, on the grounds that the
proposals from Sainsbury PLC and the potential provision of a hotel
and medical practice were likely to attract greater numbers to the
town;
 
(4)           
options for a podium parking solution with
development above, be explored for Angel West car park;
 
(5)           
the Borough Councils general approach to housing
should be to focus on low-rise high-density housing types and that
any development should maximise affordable housing provision and
place the needs of local residents first and should preferably be
delivered by a Borough Council owned housing company, subject to
further investigation by the Programme Board and more detailed
viability work being undertaken;
 
(6)           
options for retail and commercial use around public
spaces that provide flexible, simple units to optimise value be
explored, and that the Borough Council acts as landlord for any new
retail units and ensures that the viability of current commercial
businesses are not put at risk by the creation of an alternative
shopping centre;
 
(7)           
options for a hotel be included in the project, with
the possibility of the Borough Council acting as developer and
landlord;
 
(8)           
the inclusion of a GP Practice be supported on the
grounds of providing adequate infrastructure for residents and that
the Borough Council looks to incorporate this into the
redevelopment as landlord;
 
(9)           
the Borough Council should aspire to undertake a
master developer role to influence the shape, style and design of
the development so that it remains sympathetic to the local area;
and the extent and scope of this role be reviewed by the Tonbridge
Town Centre Programme Board;
 
(10)       
the Borough Council should explore a collaborative
agreement with Network Rail in relation to their train station car
park sites and that the Tonbridge Town Centre Programme Board
consider whether other stakeholders and/or landowners should be
approached;
 
(11)       
the Borough Council should commit to a net zero
baseline as a fundamental requirement of the development;
 
(12)       
to guarantee continuity of service for leisure and
community users, the Angel Centre should remain open and in
operation until a replacement facility becomes available;
 
(13)       
upon completion of the Alliance Leisure feasibility
study on options for potential leisure and community uses,
facilities and locations, and subject to agreement of the Tonbridge
Town Centre Programme Board, full public consultation be undertaken
as soon as possible on the master plan proposals;
 
(14)       
the Tonbridge Town Centre Programme Board be
requested to liaise with key stakeholders, partners and landowners
to discuss options around services and operations;
 
(15)       
Officers be instructed to develop a communication
strategy for the Tonbridge Town Centre Project to be reported to a
future meeting of the Programme Board for consideration;
and
 
(16)       
Officers be instructed to progress a masterplan
exercise for the area east of the High Street.