Purpose

To
consult on the Modifications of  the
Development Strategy in the emerging Tunbridge Wells Borough
Council Local Plan and Sustainability Appraisal for a 6 week
period.  This report sets out
consideration of the Inspector’s initial findings and makes a
recommendation on the way forward with the Local Plan, including
public consultation and submission to the Inspector.

Decision

RESOLVED – That Full Council be
recommended

 
1.  That the examination of the Local
Plan be progressed in accordance with section 6 of this report and
the Inspector’s Option 3:

-      
That the Tudeley Village allocation be removed for
the Plan (STR/SS3)

-      
That Housing in Paddock Wood and East Capel be
reduced with all housing being on Flood Zone 1 and employment land
on Flood Zone 2 (STR/SS1)

-      
That along with the changes to the development
strategy at Hawkhurst to revise site AL/HA 5 in accordance with the
planning committee resolution on application reference
22/02664/HYBRID, and to remove site AL/HA 8 Limes Grove

-      
To progress a 10-year housing land supply position
including the requirement for an immediate review of the
Plan

And that these changes with the Sustainability
Appraisal be the subject of public consultation be
approved.

 
2. That
the responses to the public consultation be collated and put
forward with the additional evidence to the Inspector for further
consideration in order to progress the examination of the
Submission Local Plan be approved.
 
3. That
up until the date of the start of the consultation on the strategic
changes to the Local Plan, the Head of Planning be authorised to
make minor modifications to the consultation information should it
be deemed necessary to correct minor errors be approved.
 
4. That
subject to the conclusion of the consideration of the additional
evidence and Hearings (should they be necessary) by the Inspector,
and TWBC receiving a recommendation from him that the Local Plan
can move forward to Main Modifications, the Head of Planning, in
consultation with the Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council,
and the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, be granted the
authority to undertake the Main Modifications process in accordance
with the detailed strategic changes made in this report and a
schedule of other modifications as deemed necessary by the Local
Plan Inspector in order to make the plan sound be
approved.
 
5. That
public consultation on the proposed changes to the Local Plan as
set out in this report and at Recommendation 1 shall not start
until January 2024 and shall run for a period of six weeks be
approved.
 
REASON FOR DECISION: To
progress the Local Plan that once adopted would set the agenda for
development across the Borough.