1. A new Local Plan for Tunbridge Wells

2. Changing World No top down Regional Plan targets
Weight / influence of national planning policy (NPPF)
Push for development growth
Increased Housing need figures (objectively assessed need (OAN) 650 homes a year (2013/2033)
Reduced countryside protection. Pressure on Green Belt and AONB

3. Challenges Dealing with rate of planning changes
Continuous policy and process changes
Responding to Government Growth Objective
Delivering housing and business needs locally
Producing an up to date Local Plan
A plan that will pass examination/challenge and in a timely fashion, i.e. 2018
Avoiding planning by appeal
Maintaining local decision making

4. Local Plan: Way forward
Single Plan document
Vision - the sort of place we want the borough to be
Strategy - what development, where and when
Allocations - sites to deliver the development and shape the borough
Policies - to guide and inform development, protect assets
Objective - a shorter, more concise plan
informed by a range of key evidence base studies

5. Current v Future Strategy Maintain existing employment position
Core Strategy 2006/26
New Local Plan 2013/33
6,000 homes
300 per year
12,960 homes
648 per year
Status Quo
Maintain existing employment position
11/15 Hectares
new Business Space l
32,000sqm comparison retail
2,000sqm convenience retail
32,000sqm comparison retail
7,500 – 9,500sqm convenience retail

6. Issues and Options Status of Document in Plan Making Process
Council are not making any decisions at this stage regarding:
the direction of future strategy
future planning policy
the allocations of sites
Decisions on these matters are for the future stages of the Plan preparation once the outcomes of:
Issues and Options consultation
Strategic Land Availability Assessment
are known
No set decisions at this stage.
Outcomes of Issues and Options consultation and Strategic Land Availability Assessment will be key influences on draft plan.

7. No change to CS approach and hierarchy

8. CS approach to hierarchy plus Pembury, Rusthall, Goudhurst, Brenchley, Lamberhurst and Five Oak Green

12. Local Plan Preparation
What next:
Issues and Options consultation 2 May – 12 June
Second ‘Call for Sites’ 2 May – 12 June
Complete & commission remaining key evidence studies
Shape final strategy and draft site allocations
Consult Spring 2018 on final draft Local Plan
Submit Draft Plan Summer 2018
Examination of Draft Plan 2018
Adoption of Local Plan 2019

13. Local Plan Review Timescales
Examination
Submission Local Plan
Final Draft Local Plan
Emerging Draft Local Plan
Issues & Options Consult
Consultation May and June 2017
Shape final strategy and possible site allocations
Sept - Dec
Consult Early (Spring)
2018
Submit
Draft
Plan
Summer
2018
Autumn 2018
Decisions to shape final strategy and possible site allocations will be required final quarter of this year.