Planning and building control news
Planning fee increases from 1st April 2026
Planning fees will be increasing on 1st April 2026.
Date published: 30 Mar 2026
Adoption of Tunbridge Wells Local Plan 2020-2038
The role of the Local Plan, which covers the period 2020–2038, is to set out the spatial vision and strategic objectives for the borough as well as the development strategy needed to meet those objectives.
Date published: 11 Dec 2025
Important message regarding our Public Planning Portal
We are aware of an issue that is affecting notifications being sent to customer who have registered for updates/notifications on our Planning Portal using the Map Search function.
Date published: 19 Aug 2025
Public consultation on Tunbridge Wells Local Plan Main Modifications
People are invited to make comments on proposed ‘Main Modifications’ to the emerging Local Plan, these being needed to make the Plan ‘Sound’ and allowing Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to proceed to adopt the new Local Plan in due course.
Date published: 17 Mar 2025
The Government have announced changes to Planning Fees effective from 1st April 2025.
Date published: 27 Jan 2025
Proposed development near Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club
Esquire Developments is proposing a housing development on land south of Tunbridge Wells town.
Date published: 05 Dec 2024
Public Consultation on Tunbridge Wells Local Plan: New Evidence Base Documents
To support the emerging Local Plan which has been at Examination since November 2021 (and most recently subject to Stage 3 examination hearing sessions held in June and July 2024), the Council has produced new and additional evidence base documents.
Date published: 12 Sep 2024
Tunbridge Wells Local Plan Examination - Stage 3 Hearings
Following a recent public consultation on the council’s response to the Inspector’s initial findings, Stage 3 Local Plan examination hearing sessions will be held in June and July 2024.
Date published: 08 May 2024
Consultation on the Draft Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan - Vision 2040. Please get back to us by midnight on Monday 15 April 2024.
Date published: 03 Apr 2024
Consultation on the Draft Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan - Vision 2040
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is currently preparing a Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan. This consultation is the first stage in the process of preparing the Plan, called the ‘Draft Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan – Vision 2040’, and the council is seeking views on this.
Date published: 23 Feb 2024
Consultation on the Council’s response following the examination of the new Local Plan
Following the Local Plan examination hearings that took place in 2022 the Inspector wrote to the Council setting out his initial findings.
Date published: 17 Jan 2024
Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan ‘Call for Sites’
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ (6 June to 18 August 2023) to identify available and suitable development sites to deliver the strategy and vision for Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre over the next 15 years until 2040.
Date published: 07 Jul 2023
New advisory planning brief for Providence Chapel, Cranbrook
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has produced a new advisory planning brief with the aim of helping to secure a long-term sustainable use for the refurbishment of this redundant grade II* listed chapel.
Date published: 11 May 2023
Cinema site planning application approved
Planning permission for the redevelopment of the former cinema site in Royal Tunbridge Wells was agreed by the Planning Committee at a meeting on Wednesday 16 November 2022.
Date published: 17 Nov 2022
Local Plan examination – update
The council has received the Planning Inspector’s initial findings following the examination of the proposed new Local Plan at hearing sessions that took place earlier this year.
Date published: 16 Nov 2022
Planning Committee approves development on important employment site
A new industrial estate for Tunbridge Wells on land at Lucks Lane, north of Paddock Wood, has been given the go ahead.
Date published: 25 Oct 2022
The future of Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre
We want to hear from you with your views about the future of Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre.
Date published: 30 Sep 2022
A role for young people in shaping the future of Royal Tunbridge Wells
There’s an exciting opportunity for two young people (aged between 16 and 22) to take part in shaping the future of Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre.
Date published: 21 Apr 2022
Local Plan moves to next stage of examination process
The examination of the Council’s proposed new Local Plan by an independent planning Inspector which began last month has been given the go ahead to move on to Stage 2 of the process.
Date published: 07 Apr 2022
Neighbourhood Plans agreed by residents in Benenden and Goudhurst
Neighbourhood Plans for Benenden and Goudhurst have been voted on.
Date published: 07 Feb 2022
Statement from Cllr McDermott on former ABC Cinema Site
The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation has issued a statement in relation to recent news regarding the former ABC Cinema site.
Date published: 11 Jan 2022
Twice weekly update on Planning Validation status.
Date published: 14 Jun 2022