The Area 1 Planning Committee of Tonbridge and Malling Council is scheduled to meet on 16 October 2025 to discuss planning applications and updates. The meeting will cover alterations to a building on Avebury Avenue, the erection of a detached dwelling on land north of Fir Tree Farm, and updates on planning appeals. There will also be a discussion of urgent items and a section of the meeting that excludes the press and public.

TM/24/02011/PA - 2-12 Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge

A report will be presented regarding a planning application for alterations, extensions and change of use of the existing building at 2-12 Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge. The proposal includes converting the building into a mixed-use development with 34 apartments, associated parking, and refurbishment of the existing gym. This is a revision of a previous application, TM/19/00287/FL.

The proposed block is scheduled to be five storeys high, with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. There are scheduled to be 22 car parking spaces, a mix of outdoor and stack parking, and the building's exterior is planned to feature brick, cedar texture cladding, and porcelain stone effect tiles.

Councillor Mark Hood, Chair of Area 1 Planning Committee, requested that the application be discussed at committee, because of concerns about the excessive scale and bulk of the new application which is significantly taller than its predecessor and will dominate the street scene and the choice of materials which in addition to the scale and bulk seem to be completely out of place in the setting of the Tonbridge Conservation Area.

The report pack notes that the site is located within the boundary of Tonbridge Town Centre and the Tonbridge Central Area Action Plan, and that the Tonbridge Conservation Area adjoins the northeast of the site. The site is also located in Flood Zone 2 and 3, meaning it is at risk of flooding.

The report pack lists several previous planning applications for the site, including:

• 23/00312/FL: Proposed additional floor over existing commercial premises to form two-bedroom duplex apartment (Approved)
• 19/00287/FL: Alteration, extension and change of use of the existing building to a mixed use to comprise 23 no. apartments, with associated parking (Approved)
• 18/00423/FL: Alterations, extension and change of use of the existing building to a mixed use including 14 no. apartments, gym and commercial space (Approved)

The report pack includes summaries of responses from consultees, including:

• The Heritage Conservation Officer, who said that The current proposal would cause no harm to the significance of the designated area through change within the wider setting, and there is no objection in terms of TMBC Historic Environment Conservation Policies.
• The Local Highway Authority (Kent County Council), who said they would raise no objection provided certain requirements are secured by condition or planning obligation.
• The Lead Local Flood Authority (Kent County Council), who said they would see no reason to object to the development.
• The Environment Agency, who said they have no objection to the proposed residential development but have concerns regarding the proposed electricity substation.
• NHS West Kent CCG NHS Kent and Medway, who said the proposal will have a direct impact which will require mitigation through the payment of an appropriate financial contribution (£21,744.00).

The report pack also notes that concerns have been raised about the scale and design of the proposals, traffic and parking constraints, risk of flooding, and additional pressure on local infrastructure.

The report pack states that the determining issues for this application include:

• Principle of Development
• Flood Risk and Drainage
• Housing Supply, Mix, and Affordable Housing
• Quality of Accommodation
• Impact on Visual Amenity, Character and Appearance (including Heritage Consideration)
• Impact on Residential Amenity
• Impact on Biodiversity
• Impact on Highway Safety and Parking
• Noise, Air Quality and Odour
• Planning Obligation (Other than Affordable Housing)
• Public Sector Equality Duty – Equality Act 2010

The report pack includes a recommendation to approve the application subject to a Section 106 agreement¹ and a number of planning conditions.

TM/25/00713/PA - Land North of Fir Tree Farm, Riding Lane, Hildenborough

A report will be presented regarding a planning application for the demolition of existing stables and the erection of a detached dwelling on land north of Fir Tree Farm, Riding Lane, Hildenborough. The application is for a self-build/custom build project.

The proposed dwelling is scheduled to be a single-storey, three-bedroom house, with access via the existing access track from Riding Lane. The existing hard standing area will be extended to provide two parking spaces. The dwelling is proposed to be sited within the north western corner of the site within the same footprint of the approved, but not implemented replacement stable building.

The report pack notes that the site is located outside of any settlement boundary within the Metropolitan Green Belt² and Countryside, and that to the northwest of the site is an area of Ancient woodland³. The report pack lists previous planning applications for the site, including:

• 24/01556/PA: Demolition of existing stables and erection of replacement stables (Approved)
• 23/00346/LDE: Lawful Development Certificate Existing: Use of the buildings for equestrian and ancillary storage (Certifies)

The report pack includes summaries of responses from consultees, including:

• Hildenborough Parish Council, who have concerns regarding the planning statement, where the proposal is defined as being on grey belt land. The Parish Council feels that this is not the case, and that the proposed development would have a direct impact on the countryside, altering its character particularly in this predominantly agricultural area.
• Environmental Health Protection, who note that it is unknown what is proposed to be used to deal with the foul water drainage installed for this development.
• KCC Ecology Advice Service, who note that the site is within an Amber Risk Zone for great crested new(GCN).

The report pack states that the determining issues for this application include:

• Policy Guidance
• Principle of Development
• Ancient Woodland
• Green Belt
• Grey Belt
• Countryside
• Assessment on Character and Appearance
• Assessment on Access and Parking
• Assessment on Neighbour Amenity
• Living conditions of future occupiers
• Biodiversity and Ecology
• Flooding / Drainage
• Contamination
• Public Sector Equality Duty – Equality Act 2010
• Planning Balance

The report pack includes a recommendation to approve the application subject to a Section 106 agreement and a number of planning conditions.

Planning Appeals, Public Inquiries and Hearings

The committee is scheduled to receive and note any updates in respect of planning appeals, public inquiries, and hearings held since the last meeting.