Purpose

The new
Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan was submitted for Examination in
November 2021, with Stage 1 and 2 Examination hearing sessions held
in 2022, and Stage 3 hearing sessions held in 2024. Following
public consultation on proposed Main Modifications between 17 March
and 30 April 2025, and following receipt of the Examination
Inspector's Final report (to be received ahead of the committee
cycle), this report will set out an update on the examination, and
set out recommendation(s) on next steps, including Adoption of the
Local Plan.

Decision

RESOLVED –  That Full Council be
recommended
 

That the content of the Inspector’s Report on the Tunbridge Wells
Local Plan (2020 – 2038) (Appendix
A), the Schedule of Main Modifications (Appendix B) and schedule of
associated Map changes (Appendix C) be noted.

That the contents of the supporting updated
Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix F), Habitats Regulations
Assessment (Appendix G), and Equality Impact Assessment (Appendix
H) be approved.

That the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan 2020 - 2038
(Appendix D), including Policies Maps (Appendix E), as has been
amended by the Inspector’s Main
Modifications, Schedule of Map Changes and officer
‘Additional’ Modifications (Appendix I) be adopted to form the Development
Plan for the borough, and that following adoption the adoption
statement (Appendix J) be finalised and published.

That the current adopted Development Plan documents
consisting of Saved Policies from the Local Plan 2006, the Core
Strategy 2010 and the Site Allocations Local Plan 2016, be
superseded by the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan 2020 - 2038 in
accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local

Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Regulation 8(5)
be approved.
 

That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning
Services to make further modifications to the Tunbridge Wells Local
Plan 2020 - 2038 in order to correct any factual, grammatical, or
formatting corrections, prior to making the documents available for
public inspection be approved.

 
REASON FOR DECISION:  The adoption of the Plan would
provide stability for decision making, developer confidence, and
growth to 2038 which would support high quality employment, housing
and tourism to secure investment and support
infrastructure.