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Planning Committee - Wednesday, 22nd July, 2026 6.30 pm

July 22, 2026 at 6:30 pm Planning Committee View on council website

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Summary

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The Planning Committee of Tunbridge Wells Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday 22 July 2026. The meeting's agenda includes the consideration of two planning applications and a review of recent appeal decisions.

Application for Consideration: Camster, Camden Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells

A retrospective application concerning the removal of iron railings at Camster, Camden Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4TW, is scheduled for discussion. The report pack indicates that the iron railings, measuring 1.26 metres in height, have already been removed. The application is being considered under the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 2025, specifically policies relating to the conservation of the historic environment, local green spaces, and landscape within the built environment.

The report notes that the railings are not considered to be of any notable merit and their removal is not expected to harm the character and appearance of the Tunbridge Wells Conservation Area, Camden Park Arcadian Area, or the designated Area of Important Open Space and Local Green Space. While close-boarded fencing has been erected as a replacement, this is understood to fall under permitted development rights and is therefore not a material consideration for this specific application. The report also addresses concerns raised by local residents regarding the historic value of the railings, their contribution to the area's openness, and potential impacts on wildlife, clarifying which of these are considered material planning considerations.

Application for Consideration: 20 Summervale Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells

The committee is also scheduled to review an application for the formation of an access, parking area, and alterations to levels at 20 Summervale Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8JB. The proposal aims to create two off-road parking spaces within the front garden area, involving the partial removal of the front boundary wall, installation of a dropped kerb, and excavation of the garden.

The report indicates that the development is not expected to be detrimental to highway safety or result in harm to residential or visual amenity. It notes that the area already features properties with converted front gardens for parking, suggesting the proposal would be in keeping with the street scene. The report also details the proposed alterations to ground levels, the dimensions of the parking area, and the use of permeable hardstanding. The application is being assessed against policies within the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 2025, including those related to residential extensions, parking standards, and place shaping. No comments were received from local residents regarding this application.

Appeal Decisions for Noting

The committee will also be presented with a list of appeal decisions for noting, covering a range of planning applications that have been determined at appeal. These include decisions on variations of conditions, retrospective applications for roller shutters and holiday accommodation, and the demolition and construction of dwellings. One appeal concerning an advertisement display was allowed. These decisions are detailed in the document Appeal Decisions for Noting Committee 22 July 2026.

The meeting agenda also includes standard procedural items such as the Chair's introduction, apologies, declarations of interest and lobbying, notification of persons registered to speak, and site inspections. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 June 2026 are also scheduled for approval. The Public reports pack provides further details on these items.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Hugh Patterson
Councillor Hugh Patterson Liberal Democrats Pembury and Capel
Profile image for Councillor Don Kent
Councillor Don Kent Liberal Democrats Paddock Wood
Profile image for Councillor Ellen Neville
Councillor Ellen Neville Tunbridge Wells Alliance Hawkhurst Sandhurst and Benenden
Profile image for Councillor Hugo Pound
Councillor Hugo Pound Labour Sherwood
Profile image for Councillor Lynne Darrah
Councillor Lynne Darrah Conservatives Rural Tunbridge Wells
Profile image for Councillor Ukonu Obasi
Councillor Ukonu Obasi Liberal Democrats St John's
Profile image for Councillor Gavin Barrass
Councillor Gavin Barrass Liberal Democrats St James'
Profile image for Councillor Richard Brown
Councillor Richard Brown Liberal Democrats Park
Profile image for Councillor Tom Dawlings
Councillor Tom Dawlings Conservatives Hawkhurst Sandhurst and Benenden
Profile image for Councillor Christopher Digby
Councillor Christopher Digby Liberal Democrats Paddock Wood
Profile image for Councillor Kimberley Johnson
Councillor Kimberley Johnson Liberal Democrats Southborough and Bidborough

Topics

Camster, Camden Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells retrospective application Appeal Decisions for Noting Committee 22 July 2026 Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 2025 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Tunbridge Wells Conservation Area 20 Summervale Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells application

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet 22nd-Jul-2026 18.30 Planning Committee.pdf
Supplementary Agenda Items 22nd-Jul-2026 18.30 Planning Committee.pdf

Reports Pack

Public reports pack 22nd-Jul-2026 18.30 Planning Committee.pdf

Additional Documents

2 Apologies for Absence.pdf
5 Notification of Persons Registered to Speak.pdf
1 Chairs Introduction.pdf
6 Site Inspections.pdf
26.01121.FULL Camster JASA.pdf
3 Declarations of Interest.pdf
10 Urgent Business.pdf
8 Reports of Head of Planning Services Jul26.pdf
26 01121 FULL - Camster.pdf
26-01216-FULL 20 Summervale Road HAPA.pdf
26 01216 FULL - 20 Summervale Road.pdf
Minutes 24062026 Planning Committee.pdf
4 Declarations of Lobbying.pdf
11 Date of the Next Meeting.pdf
Appeal Decisions for Noting Committee 22 July 2026.pdf