The Planning Committee of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council met on Wednesday 15 April 2026, approving a new dwelling in Langton Green, alterations to a healthcare facility in Royal Tunbridge Wells, and changes to commercial uses in The Pantiles. The committee also granted advertisement and listed building consent for signage at 27 The Pantiles.

New Dwelling Approved at 23 Newlands, Langton Green

Permission was granted for the erection of a new dwelling and associated landscape works at 23 Newlands, Langton Green. The proposal involves the sub-division of the plot and the construction of a 1.5-storey detached house in the rear garden. The application had been amended to address concerns regarding its impact on neighbouring amenity, including reducing the height and footprint of the dwelling, removing first-floor windows facing the boundary with 1 Mercers, and lowering the floor level.

Objectors, including David Bramble of 1 Mercers, raised concerns about the increased housing density, loss of the estate's open and spacious character, and the overbearing impact of the proposed building. They argued that the amendments did not sufficiently mitigate the impact on neighbouring properties.

Charlie Cadswell, speaking for the applicant, highlighted that the proposal was a type of windfall development supported by national and local policy. He emphasised the design changes made in response to community concerns, including moving the building further from boundaries and lowering the eaves height to match 1 Mercers. Councillor Senke, the ward member, called in the application due to material planning issues concerning the impact of the built form on neighbouring amenity.

Councillor Pound proposed accepting the officer's recommendation, noting that while local residents might be upset, the proposal was within the limits of built development and aligned with planning policy. Councillor Pitts seconded the motion, adding that amendments had been made to reduce harm and suggesting a condition regarding the detail of the chimney. The application was unanimously approved with an additional condition concerning the chimney's design.

Alterations to Longford House, Royal Tunbridge Wells Approved

The committee granted planning permission for changes to Longford House, 19 Mount Ephraim Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells. The application sought to implement an extant permission for a change of use from offices to a Use Class C2 healthcare establishment, with additional external alterations including a mansard roof extension, courtyard infill, replacement of external fire escapes, and partial infill of an underground car park.

The proposal was referred to the committee due to the scale of the non-residential floorspace involved. Concerns were raised by TWBC Conservation & Urban Design regarding the mansard roof extension and the use of zinc standing seam material, stating it would dominate elements of the building contributing to the conservation area and have a detrimental impact on key views. They concluded this would result in less than substantial harm to the conservation area.

Richard Hazelgrove, the case officer, explained that the proposed alterations were designed to be sited behind the main front elevation to maintain the building's presentation to the public realm. He noted that the extant permission for the healthcare use already provided significant public benefit by bringing an under-used building back into active use within a Key Employment Area. The committee debated the visual impact of the mansard roof and the use of zinc, weighing this against the public benefits of increased employment floorspace and the reuse of a vacant building. Councillor Neville proposed accepting the officer's recommendation with an added informative regarding the noise assessment for any new external plant, which was seconded by Councillor Darrah. The application was unanimously approved.

Flexible Commercial and Educational Uses Approved at The Pantiles

Planning permission was granted for a change of use at Foundation, Dowding, Frant and Royal Victoria Houses, 31a, 31b & 51 The Pantiles, The Corn Exchange, and Sussex Mews. The application sought to add Use Class F1A (education) to the existing commercial, business, and service (Use Class E) uses, and to allow the ground and basement floors of 31b to be used as a hairdresser. The proposal also included the implementation of previously approved glazed canopies over Sussex Mews and to Eridge and Frant Houses.

The application was referred to the committee because Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) is the freehold landowner. The proposal was seen as a way to enhance the range of facilities available and widen the marketing potential for the properties. No external alterations were proposed to the buildings themselves, and TWBC Conservation stated there were no comments as a result.

Councillor Pound proposed accepting the officer's recommendation to approve the application, stating that any development that continues the regeneration of The Pantiles area was good news. Councillor Kent seconded the motion. Councillor Pitts added that the thoroughness of the report made consideration easy, noting the six conditions, lack of physical alterations, and clear explanation of the education policy. The application was unanimously approved.

Advertisement and Listed Building Consent Granted for Signage at 27 The Pantiles

Advertisement consent and listed building consent were granted for signage at 27 The Pantiles. The application for advertisement consent was retrospective for a hanging sign and display board, while the listed building consent was for a fascia sign. Both applications were referred to the committee because TWBC is the freehold landowner.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the treatment of the facade, the use of vinyl adhesive signage, and the height of the hanging sign. TWBC Conservation and Urban Design noted that while hand-painted lettering would have been preferred, the works were not considered to warrant refusal on heritage grounds.

For the advertisement consent, the committee discussed the height of the hanging sign (2.29 metres) and the placement of the A-frame sign. An informative was added to recommend that the A-frame be kept in close proximity to the building's frontage. Councillor Neville proposed accepting the officer's recommendation with this informative, which was seconded by Councillor Pitts. The application was unanimously approved.

For the listed building consent, the committee noted that the fascia sign did not impact the building's structure or historic fabric. While hand-painted lettering was preferred, no harm was identified. Councillor Neville proposed accepting the officer's recommendation, seconded by Councillor Pitts. The application was unanimously approved.