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

supporting healthy, safe, and connected communities

Sustainable Development

the right homes in the right places, with the right infrastructure

Climate Action

tackling climate change and protecting our environment

Vibrant Economy

helping local businesses thrive and creating opportunities for all

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

We will introduce a new farmers' market, independently run in Royal Tunbridge Wells selling high quality, locally produced items.

The farmers’ markets continue to thrive with a wide variety of stalls. Feedback from traders remains positive and visitor numbers are strong.

We will continue to pursue proposals to provide a new football hub and facilities at Hawkenbury, replacing pitches at Bayham West, Colebrook and Culverden.

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.

We will work with our leisure service provider to modernise and improve our existing three leisure centres in Cranbrook, Paddock Wood and Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Options for the future of our leisure centres were presented to Cabinet on 4 December. More updates will follow as the work progresses.

We will create youth hubs across the Borough for 12-17 year olds providing activities chosen by 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.

We will review outdoor sports facilities for grass-roots clubs across the borough to improve and develop provision.

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.

We will deliver a modern crematorium with more appropriate, comfortable and energy-saving facilities.

This project is currently paused while we await the outcome of wider Local Government Reorganisation discussions.

We will deliver a solar energy project on the Royal Victoria Place car park.

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 will plant a tree for every resident - 116.000 over 10 years.

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.

We will enable the delivery of a community centre in Cranbrook.

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 will examine how best to ensure the delivery of affordable housing across the Borough.

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.

We will invest in and revitalise Royal Victoria Place, to make it a better destination for shopping and leisure.

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.

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.

Kent County Council is currently not supporting further work on this scheme.

Southborough to High Brooms walking and cycling route.

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.

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.

Download TWBC Strategic Plan 2024-32 PDF