Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommmend Forward to Council

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 4, 2025

Purpose: The new Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan was submitted for Examination in November 2021, with Stage 1 and 2 Examination hearing sessions held in 2022, and Stage 3 hearing sessions held in 2024. Following public consultation on proposed Main Modifications between 17 March and 30 April 2025, and following receipt of the Examination Inspector's Final report (to be received ahead of the committee cycle), this report will set out an update on the examination, and set out recommendation(s) on next steps, including Adoption of the Local Plan.

Content: RESOLVED –  That Full Council be recommended   That the content of the Inspector’s Report on the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan (2020 – 2038) (Appendix A), the Schedule of Main Modifications (Appendix B) and schedule of associated Map changes (Appendix C) be noted.   That the contents of the supporting updated Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix F), Habitats Regulations Assessment (Appendix G), and Equality Impact Assessment (Appendix H) be approved.   That the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan 2020 - 2038 (Appendix D), including Policies Maps (Appendix E), as has been amended by the Inspector’s Main Modifications, Schedule of Map Changes and officer ‘Additional’ Modifications (Appendix I) be adopted to form the Development Plan for the borough, and that following adoption the adoption statement (Appendix J) be finalised and published.   That the current adopted Development Plan documents consisting of Saved Policies from the Local Plan 2006, the Core Strategy 2010 and the Site Allocations Local Plan 2016, be superseded by the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan 2020 - 2038 in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Regulation 8(5) be approved.   That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning Services to make further modifications to the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan 2020 - 2038 in order to correct any factual, grammatical, or formatting corrections, prior to making the documents available for public inspection be approved.   REASON FOR DECISION:  The adoption of the Plan would provide stability for decision making, developer confidence, and growth to 2038 which would support high quality employment, housing and tourism to secure investment and support infrastructure.