The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Full Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be a significant development proposal for the Royal Victoria Place (RVP) shopping centre, specifically the Palm Court area. Other items on the agenda include procedural matters and the potential affixing of the Council's Common Seal to documents.

Royal Victoria Place Development – Palm Court

A substantial portion of the meeting is scheduled to be dedicated to the Royal Victoria Place (RVP) development, with a particular focus on the Palm Court scheme. This proposal forms the first phase of a wider redevelopment of the RVP site, aiming to revitalise the shopping centre and enhance its appeal as a destination.

The report pack indicates that the council is being asked to endorse the Palm Court scheme as developed to RIBA Stage 3 (Developed Design). This includes approving the scheme for funding and delivery, and confirming its potential to proceed independently of the Ely Court scheme if necessary. The council is also being asked to endorse the objective of delivering the Ely Court and Palm Court schemes as a Full Scheme where viable, affordable, and deliverable, to maximise economic benefits. This involves approving the further development of the Ely Court scheme and a strategy to commence a two-stage Design & Build contractor procurement for the Full Scheme. Additionally, the report pack suggests that proposals for Market Square will not be progressed as part of the Full Scheme at this stage.

A significant financial element of the discussion will involve approving an additional gross capital budget of £23.5 million for the delivery of the Palm Court scheme, on top of the £3.3 million previously approved. The council is also being asked to approve the creation of an RVP Development Reserve and a budget of £400,000 to commence Stage 1 of the Design and Build contract for the Full Scheme.

The report pack details the procurement of a two-stage Design & Build contract, with delegates authority to the Head of Economic Development and Property and the s151 Officer to manage this process. The council is also being asked to delegate authority for various actions, including submitting planning applications, approving surveys and enabling works, discharging planning conditions, and negotiating legal transactions with prospective occupiers.

The report pack includes extensive economic impact assessments for the RVP development. These assessments, conducted by AMION Consulting, analyse the local economic impact, wider financial impacts (including business rates and parking charges), and social welfare benefits. The reports consider different options, including a Full Scheme encompassing both Palm Court and Ely Court, and an option focusing solely on Palm Court.

The Palm Court scheme itself involves the refurbishment and reconfiguration of internal space to improve the retail and shopping environment. This includes infilling an atrium void to repurpose the former food court for leisure use, providing new toilets with improved access, and installing a new roof for sustainability. The report pack notes that planning consent for Palm Court was granted in June 2026.

The report pack also addresses the Ely Court scheme, which aims to deliver a leisure and dining destination with a cinema. The progress of Ely Court has been impacted by a listing application for 3-7 Camden Road, a building adjacent to the site. However, Historic England has recommended against listing the building, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has indicated it is minded to grant a Certificate of Immunity from Listing. This decision is expected to allow the progression of the Ely Court design and planning application.

The report pack also includes an Equality Impact Assessment for the redevelopment of Palm Court, which considers the potential impacts on individuals with protected characteristics. It highlights positive impacts for people with disabilities, older users, and those undergoing gender reassignment, particularly concerning improved accessibility and toilet provision.

Other Agenda Items

In addition to the RVP development, the meeting agenda includes procedural items. These are:

• Apologies for absence: To receive any apologies for absence from councillors.
• Declarations of Interest: To receive any declarations of interest from members in items on the agenda.
• Urgent Business: To consider any other items which the Mayor decides are urgent.
• Common Seal of the Council: To consider authorising the Common Seal of the Council to be affixed to any contract, minute, notice or other document.
• Date of next meeting: To note that the next scheduled meeting is Wednesday 16 December 2026.
• Exempt Items: It is proposed that the public be excluded from the meeting for certain items of business due to the potential disclosure of exempt information.

The full public reports pack for this meeting can be accessed online at Public reports pack 11th-Nov-2026 18.30 Full Council.