Brenchley and Matfield
Key stages
The Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Development Plan was ‘made’ by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council at Full Council on 14 December 2022.
14 December 2022
Referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan
On 10 November 2022, the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan Referendum was held. In response to the question "Do you want Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Brenchley and Matfield to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?", the number of votes cast responding 'Yes' was 417. The number of votes cast responding 'No' was 58. As more than 50 per cent of those that voted chose 'Yes', the Plan will proceed to Full Council on 14 December 2022, recommending that the Neighbourhood Development Plan be 'made' (adopted) as part of the statutory development plan for the area.
Declaration of Results - Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan Referendum
Consideration of Examiner’s report, recommendations, and recommended modifications
Following an independent examination undertaken by written representations, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) confirmed that the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Development Plan (BMNDP) can proceed to a Neighbourhood Planning Referendum.
The decision statement is published here.
The Referendum Version of the NDP can be viewed here below (2 parts):
The area that the referendum is to cover is that of the Neighbourhood Area, i.e., Brenchley and Matfield parish.
The anticipated date for the referendum is Thursday 10 November 2022.
Paper copies of the BMNDP are available for viewing at:
Brenchley Memorial Hall Meeting Room
Mondays 1.30pm - 3.30pm & Thursdays 10am - 1.00pm
Matfield Pavilion
Tuesdays 10am - 12noon & Wednesdays 10am - 12noon
The Gateway, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Monday – Friday 9am – 5.00pm
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 20 June 2022 that the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan, as modified by the examiner's recommendations, should proceed to referendum.
The following examination documents are available for viewing:
This version of the plan has now been updated (presentational changes only) to comply with accessibility regulations.
Neighbourhood Plan Proposal
Brenchley and Matfield Parish Council submitted the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Development Plan to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on 4 November 2021 in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).
In accordance with Regulation 16 the Borough Council is inviting representations on the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Development Plan for an eight-week period from Monday 29 November to 5pm on Monday 24 January 2022.
The following documents are available for viewing:
A paper copy will be available for viewing by appointment at the Brenchley and Matfield Parish Council offices at the Matfield Pavilion. Please phone 01892 832579 or email lynne.butler@pc.brenchleyandmatfield.co.uk to arrange an appointment.
The easiest way to submit comments on the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Development Plan is online via the Planning Policy Consultation Portal.
Alternatively, you may also submit your comments in the following ways:
- by email to: neighbourhoodplans@tunbridgewells.gov.uk (please use the response form as it ensures we have all the right information from you)
- by post to: Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan, Planning Policy, Planning Services, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS
You can submit as many separate comments on the Plan as you wish, and you can also provide supporting documents to your response.
Next steps
Following the eight-week consultation period, the Borough Council will collate and pass all representations to an independent examiner who will look at them and the Plan documents when assessing whether the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan meets the relevant legislation and can proceed to referendum. In responding to the consultation, you may also request to be notified of the Council’s decision regarding the outcome of the independent examination of the Plan (under Regulation 19 (see Question 2a of the response form).
If the examiner and the Council believe that the Plan meets all the relevant requirements, then a decision will be made to hold a referendum on the Plan, which will allow residents to decide whether the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan should be confirmed and become part of the Development Plan for the borough, carrying relevant legal weight in the determination of planning applications in the parish of Brenchley and Matfield.
Further information and background documents on the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan are available to view on the Parish Council’s website.
If you require further information on the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan consultation process, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01892 554056 or email neighbourhoodplans@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
Designation of Brenchley Parish as a Neighbourhood Area
Brenchley 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 Brenchley and Matfield and is the first step for Brenchley Parish Council in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.
The borough council approved the neighbourhood area on 8 December 2017.
The following documents are available for viewing:
Decision notice approving area designation
For more information on the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Plan, please see the Brenchley and Matfield Parish Council website.