Benenden

Key stages

The Benenden Neighbourhood Development Plan was ‘made’ by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council at Full Council on 23 February 2022.

Referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan

On 3 February 2022, the Benenden Neighbourhood Plan Referendum was held. In response to the question "Do you want Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Benenden to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?", the number of votes cast responding 'Yes' was 665. The number of votes cast responding 'No' was 161. As more than 50 per cent of those that voted chose 'Yes', the Plan will proceed to Full Council on 23 February 2022, recommending that the Neighbourhood Development Plan be 'made' (adopted) as part of the statutory development plan for the area.

Consideration of Examiner’s report, recommendations, recommended modifications, and the Referendum Version of the Benenden NDP

Following an independent examination undertaken by written representations and a one day hearing, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) confirmed that the Benenden Neighbourhood Development Plan (BNDP) can proceed to a Neighbourhood Planning Referendum.

The decision statement is published here.

The Referendum Version of the BNDP is published here.

The area that the referendum is to cover is that of the Neighbourhood Area, i.e., Benenden parish, plus seven addresses identified by the examiner, located adjacent to the Benenden Hospital site at East End and falling within Biddenden Parish (Ashford Borough Council).

The anticipated date for the referendum is Thursday 3 February 2022.

Public Hearing

The independent examiner for the Benenden Neighbourhood Plan requested a one-day public hearing to explore a limited number of matters focussed on the two allocation sites at East End (Benenden Hospital). This took place virtually on Friday 25 June 2021.

The further comments from the examiner set out the process he followed, including the six questions he raised.

A link to the live stream and the subsequent recording of the public hearing that will be publicly available via our webcast site.

The following examination documents are available for viewing:

Neighbourhood Plan Independent Examination

The Neighbourhood Plan, following the Regulation 16 consultation, was subject to an independent examination. An independent examiner was appointed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (with the agreement of the qualifying body).

The examiner recommends in his Final Report dated 31 August 2021 that the Benenden Neighbourhood Plan, as modified by the examiner's recommendations, should proceed to referendum.

The following examination documents are available for viewing:

Neighbourhood Plan Submission

Benenden Parish Council submitted the Benenden Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on 2 October 2020 in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

In accordance with Regulation 16 the Borough Council invited representations on the Benenden NDP for a six-week period from 30 October to 11 December 2020.

The neighbourhood plan will now be subject to an independent Examination. The Borough Council will appoint an independent examiner (with the agreement of the qualifying body). The examiner reports to both the Borough Council and the qualifying body. The Borough Council must formally consider the report. If it accepts the examiner’s report, it will arrange for a local referendum to be held to ensure that the community has the final say on whether the plan comes into force or not.

If you require further information on the Benenden Neighbourhood Development Plan consultation process, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01892 554056 or email neighbourhoodplans@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Designation of Benenden Parish as a Neighbourhood Area

Benenden Parish Council applied to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for the designation of a neighbourhood area under The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. The area proposed covers the whole of the parished area of Benenden and is the first step for Benenden Parish Council in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.

The borough council approved the neighbourhood area on 31 August 2017.

The following documents are available for viewing:

For more information on the Benenden Neighbourhood Plan, please see the Benenden Parish Council website.