Making it Happen
Our Strategic Plan outlines the Council’s vision and priorities for making Tunbridge Wells an even better place to live, work and play.
It sets out what we aim to achieve and how we’ll work with communities to deliver real improvements across the borough. At the heart of the plan are four key priorities:
Community Wellbeing
Sustainable Development
Climate Action
Vibrant Economy
Together, these priorities guide everything we do to ensure Tunbridge Wells remains a great place for everyone.
The left border colour on each project tile represents its status:
on schedule
delayed
on hold
The farmers’ market continues to attract strong footfall and positive feedback from traders, with a wide range of stalls on offer for residents and visitors.
The farmers’ markets continue to thrive with a wide variety of stalls. Feedback from traders remains positive and visitor numbers are strong.
Plans are progressing to improve the existing playing pitch at Hawkenbury Recreation Ground, helping enhance the quality of the playing surface as part of the long-term phased delivery of the Hawkenbury Hub.
A Cabinet Member has approved the release of £10,000 of S106 funding to appoint a project manager. Their role will be to design improvements to the Hawkenbury Recreation Ground, including increasing the number of sports pitches and enhancing the quality of the playing surface. This forms the first phase of the longer term Hawkenbury Hub development.
Following Fusion’s administration in April 2026, the successful transfer of operations for the borough’s three leisure centres to Serco Leisure and Leisure Solutions Community Trust was completed on 1 July 2026, ensuring continuity of service.
Options for the future of our leisure centres were presented to Cabinet on 4 December. More updates will follow as the work progresses.
Grants have been awarded to organisations across the borough:
- Paddock Wood Town Council
- Rusthall Parish Council
- St Margaret’s Church, Horsmonden
- Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ
- Wellbeing in the Weald
- Trinity Youth Provision
- Horsmonden Parish Council
Supporting a range of youth-focused projects that provide safe spaces, activities and opportunities for young people.
Grants have already been awarded to:
- Paddock Wood Town Council
- Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ
- Wellbeing in the Weald
Four additional applications are currently being considered. The Amelia Scott is also trialling a weekly youth club on Tuesdays over a three month period.
New changing facilities have been completed at Cadogan. Changing facility units delivered to the Bayham pitches, ready for commissioning. Plans are also moving forward to improve football changing facilities at Grosvenor and Hilbert Recreation Ground through S106 funding.
Work continues on plans to replace the changing facilities at the Bayham sports pitches. We’re also working with the Lawn Tennis Association on future proposals for tennis, padel and pickleball facilities across the borough.
The project remains on hold pending the outcome of Local Government Reorganisation.
This project is currently paused while we await the outcome of wider Local Government Reorganisation discussions.
Installation of the solar canopy is nearing completion, with all steelwork and solar panels in place. Final wiring and testing are underway, with completion expected shortly.
The solar panel project at the RVP car park has reached final design stage, allowing us to prepare for procurement and construction. Planning permission was granted on 12 November 2025.
We are working with Kent Wildlife Trust on a major wilding project at Furnace Farm, Lamberhurst, and have planted around 5,200 trees with Kent High Weald Trust this season. Planning is now underway for further planting projects in 2026/27, including an additional 9,000 trees in Hawkhurst.
We are finalising a major rewilding partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, with further details expected in early 2026. This planting season, we are working with Kent High Weald Trust to plant around 11,000 new trees, including:
- 1,200 trees in Dunorlan Park (from 24 November)
- 1,000 trees at Barnetts Wood, High Brooms (from 6 December)
Additional hedge planting in Hawkhurst will take place early in 2026.
Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council is finalising its Crane Valley masterplan and preparing to appoint pre-construction services, taking the project forward through the next stages of development.
Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Parish Council have completed public consultation on the proposed Cranbrook Community Centre, with feedback showing strong support. They are now beginning the master planning stage for the wider site and have appointed an architect to take forward the next phase of design.
We are continuing to explore affordable housing opportunities and are making good progress delivering homes through the Local Authority Housing Fund. Our offer on a two-bedroom property in Cranbrook has been accepted, marking the first of two temporary accommodation homes to be delivered through Round 4 funding.
We’re continuing to increase the supply of affordable homes in the borough. Approval has been secured for two shared ownership homes to be converted into social rent, and a further two properties have now been identified for the same process. Legal work has also begun on the purchase of three flats in Upper Grosvenor Road as part of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF 3) scheme.
Progress continues at Palm Court, with planning consent secured for a new roof. At Ely Court, timescales have been affected by a proposed listed building application, with a Certificate of Immunity now submitted to provide certainty for future plans.
Design work is progressing on proposals to redevelop Ely Court, Palm Court and Market Square within RVP. The second phase of public engagement began on 27 November, and all feedback is helping shape the final proposals. A planning application is expected around Easter 2026.
We will work with partners to design and deliver four improved walking and cycling routes (see below).
Royal Tunbridge Wells cross town centre cycling route.
With support from KCC, Active Travel funding has been secured for public engagement on the Cross Town route and the Hawkenbury Village to town centre route, helping residents influence the future design of these active travel improvements.
Early stage designs for new east west walking and cycling routes across the town centre have been completed. These are now being reviewed as part of the wider Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan.
A26 between Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells and the boundary with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council cycling route.
The A26 Cycle Way remains a future opportunity with Kent County Council, with potential funding for updated feasibility work expected to be considered in 2027/28.
Kent County Council is currently not supporting further work on this scheme.
Southborough to High Brooms walking and cycling route.
Active Travel funding has been secured to support a comprehensive public engagement programme, helping shape proposals for improved walking connections between Southborough and High Brooms.
Draft designs have been developed and presented to Southborough Town Council (26 September). Their feedback has been incorporated into the final concept designs.
Langton Green through Rusthall to Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre cycling route.
Funding is in place for Phase 1, with work expected to begin later this year. A programme of public engagement, including local drop-in events, is currently being developed.
Technical work with our consultants and Kent County Council is continuing. The Phase 1 scheme, focusing on Rusthall High Street, is now due for submission in January 2026.