Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan Review Consultations
Local Plan Review Scoping Consultation
What is the Scoping Consultation about?
The Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 2020-2038 (adopted December 2025) includes a commitment to starting a Local Plan review within six months of adoption of the Plan (set out within Policy STR1: The Development Strategy).
The Council is now beginning a review of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan setting the framework for how the borough will grow and prosper over the coming years. The Local Plan Review will cover the period 2029 - 2044 and its preparation will be undertaken in accordance with the Government’s new plan-making Regulations (March 2026). The plan shall be referred to as the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan Review 2029.
The Scoping Consultation is the first public consultation in the preparation of the new Local Plan and seeks early views from different people, stakeholders, statutory bodies and other organisations on what the plan should contain and how future engagement should be carried out in preparing the Local Plan at each stage. This is as required by Regulation 20 of the new plan-making Regulations. The different stages of Local Plan preparation and related timings can be viewed in our Local Plan Review Timetable.
Notice of Scoping Consultation
The notice of Scoping Consultation can be viewed below:
What is being consulted on?
This document incorporates a set of questions (starting on page 16 of the document) to help provide feedback on:
- What the Local Plan Review should cover?
- How should we engage with you about the Local Plan Review throughout the process?
Alongside the scoping consultation, there is a separate consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report which evaluates the potential environmental, economic and social impacts of the Local Plan review. You are also able to make comments on this document.
When is the consultation taking place?
Consultation on the Scoping Consultation document and the SEA Scoping document runs for a period of four weeks from 14 July 2026 until midnight 11 August 2026, and we would like to hear from you.
Where can I view the consultation documents?
Online
The consultation documents can be viewed using the links above (What is being Consulted on?) or on the consultation portal.
Paper copies
In addition, paper copies of the consultation documents will be made available at:
- The Town Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1RS, which is open 9am-5pm (Monday to Friday) excluding Bank Holidays (Telephone 01892 526121).
- The Amelia Scott, Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1AW, which is open from 9am-6pm (Monday to Wednesday and on Friday), 9am-8pm on Thursday, 9am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on a Sunday (Telephone 01892 526121).
- The Town Council Offices at Paddock Wood and Parish Council Offices at Cranbrook; you can view the more details on our website Parish and Town Councils - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
Paper copies can be made available and purchased upon request, for those unable to view documents online or at the above locations.
How can I respond?
Representations can be submitted as follows:
Online
The preferred option is to submit your response online: Local Plan Review Scoping Consultation.
Other ways to comment
If you are unable to complete an online submission then you can contact us for a copy of the submission form at LocalPlan@tunbridgewells.gov.uk and return the form to the same email address or by printing it off and returning by post to:
Planning Policy
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Town Hall
Mount Pleasant Road
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN1 1RS.
Privacy Notice
Public consultation on the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan Review Scoping Document Privacy Notice .