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Representations and next steps

Earlier stages

All duly-made representations to the Issues and Options Consultation, Draft Local Plan (Regulation 18) and Pre-Submission Local Plan (Regulation 19) have been screened, uploaded and subsequently summarised in the following documents:

The Submission Local Plan, Sustainability Appraisal, and Submission Core Documents along with the Consultation Statement for the Submission Local Plan (Part 1 and Part 2 October 2021) were submitted to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination on 1 November 2021. Further detail is available on the Examination of the Local Plan and latest news webpage.

Consultation on the council’s response to Inspector’s Initial Findings (January – April 2024)

The council undertook a public consultation between 15 January 2024 and 12 April 2024, focussing on the proposed changes to the Submission Local Plan following the Inspector’s Initial Findings in November 2022. Further details about this consultation can be found on the Consultation on council's response to inspector's initial findings webpage.

View details of the Representations received in response to this consultation. Summary tables of the representations received to the most recent consultation in response to the Inspector’s Initial Findings which include the council’s response to the representations can be viewed under the Submission Local Plan and Core Documents webpage (see Post Initial Findings Evidence Base Documents PS_077a to 077i).

Consultation on New Evidence Base Documents (September - October 2024)

To support the emerging Local Plan which has been at Examination since November 2021 (and most recently subject to Stage 3 examination hearing sessions), the Council has produced new and additional evidence base documents. These include a new Tunbridge Wells Gypsy, Traveller, and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTAA) 2024-2039, Final Report June 2024 (Version 2), and other documents supporting a revised development strategy for the Local Plan – these include supporting highways, education, infrastructure, and other associated documents.

The Council consulted on these new and updated evidence reports, and people were invited to make comments during a six-week public consultation from Wednesday 11 September 2024 to midnight Wednesday 23 October 2024, further details of which can be found on the consultation on New Evidence Base documents webpage

The representations made to the recent New Evidence Base Documents consultation can be viewed on the representations from the consultations webpage.

Summary tables of the representations received in the consultation which include the council’s response to the representations can be viewed under the Submission Local Plan and Core Documents webpage (see Core Documents included ahead of the Stage 3 Hearing Session to be Held November 2024 - PS_122a to 122k).

Next steps

Following the final Hearing Session held in November 2024, the council is now consulting on proposed ‘Main Modifications’ to the 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. The proposed ‘Main Modifications’ are accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulations Assessment and other supporting consultation documents.

The consultation period runs from Monday 17 March until midnight on Wednesday 30 April 2025, during which time representations may be made. Representations must be made in writing and received within the consultation period,

Please refer to the Consultation on proposed Main Modifications to the Local Plan webpage for more information and to view the documents in full.

For the latest news and further details of the previous hearing sessions held, including schedules, relevant Matters, Issues and Questions, and participation details, please visit the council’s examination of the Local Plan and latest news webpage.

The Overview webpage sets out the remaining stages in the production of the Local Plan, and further details are also available in the Local Development Scheme (LDS). The LDS sets out the remaining stages and timescale the adoption of the Local Plan, expected to be during March to May 2025.

Also see

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