HPC response to Regulation 18 Local Plan Consultation 2022

Tonbridge and Malling’s new Local Plan will shape our community until 2040. As they start developing this Plan, they are asking for your thoughts on how you would like it to be approached. The Local Plan is key as it identifies how they can provide affordable homes, safeguard green spaces and deliver local jobs in Tonbridge & Malling towns and villages.

The requirement from Government is to plan for 15,941 new homes within the boundaries of Tonbridge and Malling during this time. No sites have yet been committed in developing the new Local Plan. First, they are asking you – through this consultation – for your thoughts on the principles that should determine where these homes should be built, and how they can deliver much needed infrastructure improvements across Tonbridge and Malling. Meeting this need will be difficult given how much of our beautiful landscape is protected, and the constraints on growth in many communities. They  will continue making the case to the Government that the need in Tonbridge and Malling should be reduced.

In the meantime, a Local Plan must be adopted as soon as possible so that the borough is not  vulnerable to inappropriate development that places an unsustainable burden on our infrastructure.  There are many issues to tackle, and different options on how to do so. TMBC’s documents are designed to seek your views on the best way to meet these challenges and there are various questions they would welcome your thoughts on.