The Planning Committee of Tunbridge Wells Council met on Wednesday 24 June 2026, approving the permanent stationing of a coffee trailer near the town's train station, and granting a Lawful Development Certificate for internal alterations to Royal Victoria Place. The committee also approved the replacement of the roof at Palm Court within Royal Victoria Place.

Coffee Trailer Approved for Station Approach

The committee granted planning permission for the permanent stationing of a coffee sales trailer on the corner of Vale Road and the station approach. This decision was made despite objections from local businesses and residents concerned about noise from the trailer's generator, potential pollution, and obstruction of pedestrian access. The officers' report noted that the site is within a Key Employment Area and the Primary Shopping Area, where such a commercial use is considered acceptable in principle.

Concerns regarding noise were addressed by a condition requiring a management plan to control noise levels, stipulating that any generator noise must be no more than five decibels below background noise levels. Councillor Hugo Pound, a member of the committee, expressed satisfaction that noise would be managed, but also voiced concerns about potential pollution from fossil fuel generators, suggesting this be explored within the management plan. The committee also requested an informative note be added, urging the operator to ensure rubbish is cleared regularly. The application was approved by eight votes to one.

Roof Replacement at Palm Court Approved

Planning permission was granted for the replacement of the glazed atrium roof at Palm Court, within the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre. The existing steel-framed roof will be replaced with a more sustainable timber-framed barrel vault structure. This decision was made despite one objection questioning the necessity of the development and preferring the existing roof design.

The proposal was supported by Andrew Goodwin from Rivington Hark, who highlighted that the new roof would improve weatherproofing, energy efficiency, and sustainability, aligning with planning policies STR2, EN1, and EN2. The committee agreed to remove the initial condition for a three-year time limit for the works, allowing for greater flexibility. The application was carried unanimously.

Lawful Development Certificate Granted for Internal Alterations at Palm Court

A Lawful Development Certificate was granted for internal alterations at Palm Court, Royal Victoria Place, which involve infilling the lower mall atrium void. This will effectively enclose the former food court area, allowing it to be accessed externally and potentially operate with different hours from the main shopping centre.

The application was for a Lawful Development Certificate, confirming that the proposed works, being entirely internal, do not constitute development under Section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and therefore do not require full planning permission. The increase in floor space from these alterations was noted as being 134sqm, below the 200sqm threshold that would trigger a requirement for planning permission. The committee was reminded that the Royal Victoria Place redevelopment had undergone extensive consultation and feasibility studies. The decision to grant the certificate was unanimous.

Appeal Decisions Noted

The committee noted a list of appeal decisions received between 19 May and 11 June 2026. One of these decisions, relating to an appeal against the variation of a condition to remove a six-week limit for a holiday let at Land East side of Willow Lane, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent, was dismissed on 8 June 2026.