Purpose

Wealden District Council is in
the process of conducting an eight week public consultation on its
Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan. The proposed growth strategy
includes draft site allocations for both residential and employment
uses, including six draft allocations in the north of the district,
immediately adjacent to the boundary with Tunbridge Wells. The
report explains the Wealden development strategy, whether it is
meeting its own full growth needs and provides a suggested response
on behalf of TWBC to be submitted as TWBC's formal response to the
consultation.

Decision

RESOLVED –
 
1.    
That the current consultation on Wealden District
Council’s Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan be noted.
 
2.    
That the suggested responses/comments set out in the
table of TWBC officer comments presented in Appendix A, be
submitted on or before 10 May 2024, as Tunbridge Wells Borough
Council’s representations to Wealden District Council’s
Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation be
approved.

Reasons for the decision

To
submit the representations/comments as at Appendix A is favourable
because it is considered to represent a corporate view having been
considered by officers and Members.  It
will ensure that TWBC has engaged with the consultation process in
making representations/comments on matters which may affect TWBC
and assisting WDC in progressing its Local Plan.

Alternative options considered

Do
Nothing – To not make representations to the consultation
would mean TWBC miss an opportunity to engage, input and advise on
the Wealden District Council Regulation 18 Draft Local
Plan.  A failure to respond would not be
in the spirit of the statutory duty to co-operate.
 
Submit
Alternative Representations to that at Appendix A – This
option would require further discussion with officers and/or
Councillors to inform the response, which would mean the
consultation deadline is not met.