Strategic Plan 2024-32 Project Updates

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 first Calverley Precinct Markets were held in June 2025 with approximately 20 stalls and good footfall. Future markets will take place on the last Sunday of each month and it will be reviewed after one year.

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

We are developing a scheme to increase the number of pitches and improve the quality of the playing surfaces at Hawkenbury recreation ground using Section 106 funds. A project manager will be appointed to work up proposals, involving sports clubs and local groups.

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.

A proposal for improvements to Putlands Leisure Centre has been presented to Paddock Wood Town Council, with a report coming to September’s Cabinet to release Section 106 funds. Tendering for a new leisure centre management contract to start in April 2027 is underway.

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

The first youth hub in Paddock Wood is now open with the YMCA providing youth workers and volunteers from Paddock Wood Town Council. We're looking to facilitate additional holiday activities with the Amelia team. We are now working on the next locations (Rusthall, Grosvenor and Hilbert Park and within the Amelia).

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

We're working to provide new changing facilities at the Bayham pitches. The Lawn Tennis Association are developing a plan for tennis, padel and pickleball facilities. We're also working with the Kent FA and Football Foundation as they develop a new football facilities plan for Tunbridge Wells.

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

This project is on hold, pending discussions with potential Unitary partners.

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

We are progressing an option that will provide 1,136 panels, power generation of just over 477,000 kWh and an annual saving of 84.49 tCO2e. Payback is calculated as 10.4 years.

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

Our goal is to plant 116,000 trees by the end of the 2034 planting season and our interim goal is to plant 20,000 trees from the autumn of this year to the end of spring 2028. We are working to build a Community Nature Reserve in partnership with Kent High Weald Partnership that will involve the planting of 2,500 trees.

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

We continue to support Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council in delivering their new community centre.

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

We have received £1.7m from Central Government’s Local Authority Housing fund which is being used to purchase eight properties, four to use as temporary accommodation and four social housing properties. These will be provided on social rents for eligible households.

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

At their meeting on 16 July 2025, Full Council agreed to pursue a proposal to transform the centre into a mixed destination with a boutique cinema and leisure-led uses on Ely Court, a repurposed Palm Court that will include enhanced retail space, and residential development on Market Square. This followed community engagement, Town Centre analysis, assessment of economic benefits and development planning assessment

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.

We’re exploring options to improve cycling and walking routes, subject to KCC funding approval.

A26 between Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells and the boundary with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council cycling route.

We’re exploring options to improve cycling and walking routes, subject to KCC funding approval.

Southborough to High Brooms walking and cycling route.

Route design proposals discussed with Soutborough Town Council. Further work is planned including traffic count surveys at certain junctions.

Langton Green through Rusthall to Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre cycling route.

Active Travel England have confirmed funding of approximately £80,000 to work up a detailed design for the route has been approved. This will be submitted to Active Travel England in November 2025.