Member briefing note in lieu of May 2024 meeting

  1. Terms of Reference (extracts)

Purpose of the PPWG

1.1       To act as a Member sounding board considering draft material/documentation

pertaining to the preparation and development of new planning policy for the Borough, and the possible drafting/adoption of a Community Infrastructure Levy, prior to sharing material more widely with Members at different stages of preparation.

1.2       To provide informal feedback on draft material/documentation and help build

consensus on the content, to assist officers in formulating formal proposals to

Cabinet Advisory Board: Cabinet; and Full Council where necessary.

  • The Local Plan, and individual Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), will provide new and updated policies to support the implementation of the long-term Borough-wide planning strategy, currently set out in the adopted Core Strategy, June 2010. It will include comprehensive policies for the Borough’s town centres, including site allocations; site allocations for the wider Borough; and detailed Development Management policies primarily to be used in the determination of planning applications.
  • Draft materials/documentation to be presented to the Planning Policy Working Group could include (but not exclusively) draft policy wording; draft recommendations about whether or not particular sites should be allocated for development; evidence in preparation to support a particular course of action; and draft proposals for how to carry out public consultation or comply with other procedural requirements – for publicity, for example.

Membership

1.5       Core membership list to be updated following on from the Council Annual Meeting 29th May 2024.

Status

1.6       The Planning Policy Working Group is an informal working party. It has no delegated decision-making powers and its advice and recommendations will be reported to the relevant committee – Cabinet Advisory Board; Cabinet; and Full Council – as appropriate when a formal decision is required.

Other Matters

  1. Meetings will generally be held on a monthly cycle.
  2. Meetings are held in private in view of the informal status of the group.
  • Materials will be circulated to all Members of the Council on a confidential basis.
  1. All materials, including agendas, minutes, and presentations, are to be treated confidentially by all Members (including those who are not members of the Planning Policy Working Group) unless otherwise stated, which will be circulated electronically.
  2. Members should consider whether they have any interests to declare and take advice on their action as necessary.
  3. The Planning Policy Working Group will be supported by Officers in Planning Services.
  • Members not in the Core membership can still attend PPWG meetings.
  1. Project Updates, with topic areas taken from the PPWG Agendas from January 2024.

Local Plan

2.1       The role of the Local Plan is to set out the spatial vision and strategic objectives for the borough, as well as the development strategy needed to meet those objectives. It details overarching place shaping policies for each parish and settlement within the borough, as well as specific site allocations to deliver the strategy, and detailed development management policies to be applied to all new developments across the borough.

2.2       The new Local Plan for Tunbridge Wells borough has been in production since 2016 and will provide the basis for determining the suitability of development proposals across the borough to 2038. It is currently at examination, having been submitted to the Secretary of State in November 2021.

2.3       The new Local Plan has been through four periods of public consultation, with the most recent being focussing on the proposed changes to the Submission Local Plan following the receipt of the Inspector’s Initial Findings in November 2022.

2.4       The next stage of the Submission Local Plan will take the form of Stage 3 Hearings to consider the Councils proposed changes. These will take place in June and July 2024.

2.5       There will be a further, fifth consultation on Main Modifications in due course, following further Local Plan examination hearing sessions (Stage 3) this summer (June and July 2024).

2.6       Further information about the new Local Plan is available on the Councils website at https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/local-plan.

Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan

2.7       Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) is currently working on the preparation of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan. This plan will comprise a long-term strategy (up to 2040) to help create and sustain a more prosperous and sustainable town centre.

2.8       The plan will provide a vision, objectives, and a planning framework for the future of the town centre.

2.9       This is with the aim of allowing it to diversify and adapt to changes, seek sustainable improvements to public spaces and travel and movement, as well as attracting and encouraging investment in high quality and diverse living spaces, working, shopping, learning, leisure, and cultural facilities. At the same time, regard will also be had to sustaining and enhancing Royal Tunbridge Wells’ heritage status and historic attributes.

2.10     The overall ambition is that the town centre will remain a vibrant, active and attractive place that residents and visitors can enjoy now and in the future.

2.11     A consultation on the Draft Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan – Vision 2040 and its supporting documents ran in February to April 2024. Officers are currently considering the representations received, the further evidence required and the next steps for the plan.

2.12     Further information about the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Plan can b e found on the Councils website at https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/rtw-town-centre-plan

 

Authority Monitoring Report (AMR)

2.13     The AMR monitors key contextual indicators in relation to the demographic, social, economic, and environmental characteristics of the borough and reviews progress against key indicators relevant to adopted generic Core Strategy (2010) policies. It also includes analysis of progress in the production of the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Development Plans in the borough. In addition, it specifically reviews progress under the ‘duty to cooperate’ on strategic planning matters.

2.14     Taken together, this monitoring provides vital information about the effectiveness of Core Strategy policies and the extent to which they are successful in achieving the council’s strategic aims for the borough, as well as helping to inform policy directions in the new Local Plan.

2.15     The AMR, in conjunction with the council’s Housing Monitoring Reports, fulfils the council’s obligation to produce an AMR containing the above information at least annually and to make it publicly available. The current AMR is being produced. The most recent published AMR relates to the period 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Local Heritage List

2.16     The List of Local Heritage Assets is a locally designated register of buildings and other features in the environment which are locally distinctive or have particular importance to the local community and which deserve recognition. It is separate to the nationally designated Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest which includes the well-established Grade I, II* and II listed buildings.

2.17     The main difference between the Statutory List and the Local List is the level of control. It is important to note that, under current legislation, inclusion on a Local List will not in fact change the existing planning controls that apply to a building already. It simply changes the level of consideration given to preserving its character and appearance when planning applications are submitted to the Borough Council.

2.18     To date Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has not compiled a List of Local Heritage Assets but is working towards facilitating the production of a list with the assistance of local community groups.

Neighbourhood Planning

2.19     Production of a neighbourhood plan is the means by which a local community can take responsibility for land use planning in their area, potentially covering matters such as the location of houses, shops and community facilities, the setting of design standards for new development, or the identification and conservation of local heritage assets and green spaces.

2.20     Neighbourhood plans, when finally approved (referred to as ‘made’), become part of the statutory development plan, which means that they are a key document in the determination of planning applications in that area.

2.21     The legal context for preparation of neighbourhood plans is provided by the Localism Act and the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations.

2.22     Parishes with ‘made’ neighbourhood Plans are:-

2.23     A further three Neighbourhood Plans are in production, the most advanced being the Capel Neighbourhood Plan, which has recently been successful at independent examination and subject to Cabinet approval, will go to referendum in September. Southborough and Sandhurst Neighbourhood Development Plans are at an earlier stage of preparation.

2.24     More detail about neighbourhood plans is on the Councils website at https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/neighbourhood-plans

 

Neighbouring Authorities positions on Plan making

2.25     Maidstone

  • Adopted its local plan review at Full Council on 20th March 2024

Ashford

  • Adopted plan in 2019
  • First stage of preparation of the next Local Plan for 2041

Tonbridge & Malling

  • Regulation 18 Issues & Options ran until November 2023
  • Submissions being considered

Sevenoaks

  • Core Strategy adopted in 2011
  • Allocations and Development Management Plan adopted in 2015
  • Local Plan 2040 Regulation 18 consultation (Part 2) undertaken
  • Regulation 19 plan under preparation.

Rother

  • Core Strategy Adopted 2014
  • Development and Site Allocations Local Plan adopted 2019
  • The Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan is at consultation stage

Wealden

  • Wealden Local Plan adopted 1998
  • Core Strategy Local Plan adopted 2013
  • Affordable Housing Delivery Local Plan adopted 2016
  • Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan consultation undertaken.

Relevant National News

2.26     The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these should be applied.

2.27     In regards to Local Plans it provides a framework within which locally-prepared plans can provide for sufficient housing and other development in a sustainable manner. Preparing and maintaining up-to-date plans should be seen as a priority in meeting this objective.

2.28     Planning law requires that applications for planning permission be determined in accordance with the development plan, (The TWBC Core Strategy, Site Allocations Plan, and 2008 Local Plan) unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The NPPFis a material consideration in planning decisions.

2.29     The most recent version was updated in December 2023.

Recent National / Local Consultations

2.30     The Council responds to various national and local consultations as and when they are received which are generally presented to PPWG where timeframes allow, and signed off by the Planning & Housing Portfolio Holder member. The most recent consultation responses are available online here:-