Purpose

The Council is required to publish a ‘Local Development Scheme’ (LDS) which sets out details of the planning policy documents that the Council is applying, together with those to be prepared over the next three years, and the timescales for their production and adoption.

Decision

RESOLVED – That the Local Development Scheme (November 2025) as at Appendix A to come into effect from 1 November 2025 and be published on the Council’s website be approved. 

Reasons for the decision

To update the LDS as at Appendix A would provide interested parties with clear information on the timescale for the adoption of the new Local Plan as well as progress and the timeline for the continued production of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan and other policy documents, including periods of public engagement.

Alternative options considered

Not to update the LDS would mean the Council’s customers – its local residents, statutory agencies, businesses, landowners and developers would not have up-to-date information on the timetable for the adoption of the new Local Plan and the production of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan, and other policy documents.

To update the LDS but propose a different programme would delay publication of the LDS, which the Council is required to publish before the adoption of the new Local Plan, which would be a risk.