Purpose

The
report relates to the planning application 22/01576/FULL Showfields
Estate, Showfields, Tunbridge Wells with the development of the
site resulting in additional recreational pressure on Tunbridge
Wells Common.  The S106 funding will be
put towards mitigation for dealing with the impacts of this
increased pressure on the Commons.

Decision

RESOLVED:
 
1.     
That S106 developer contributions collected pursuant
to planning agreement 22/01576/FULL, Showfields Estate, Showfields,
Tunbridge Wells, totalling £3,377.75 (plus indexation) be
released to Commons Conservators in two instalments once received
by TWBC as follows:
 

a.     
The first instalment of £2,048.54
(£1,925.32 plus £123.22 indexation) received by TWBC in
May 2025 be released to Commons Conservators, be
approved.

b.     
The second instalment of £1,452.43 (plus
indexation) be released by TWBC to Commons Conservators once
received by TWBC be approved.
 
2.     
The Commons contribution totalling £3,377.75
(plus indexation) to be used for the Commons Contribution Purpose
set out in the S106 agreement – ‘Common Contribution
Purpose means use towards strategic and administrative management
of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons in accordance with the
Common Conservators Management Plan towards mitigation for dealing
with the impacts of increased recreational pressures on the
Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons such as day to day maintenance
costs including but not exclusively footpath management and the
education of new residence on the sensitivities of the commons
through information packs and signage’ be noted.
 
3.     
The S106 agreement defines the Commons Conservators
as ‘Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons Conservators,
responsible for the strategic and administrative management of
Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons asset out of the 1981 County
of Kent Act’ be noted.

Reasons for the decision

To
agree the scheme supplied by Commons Conservators that accords with
the S106 agreement and the decision of the Planning
Committee.

Alternative options considered

Do
nothing – The money will have to be repaid and consequently
no mitigation will take place on the common.