Key strengths and challenges
Like any borough, Tonbridge and Malling has numerous strengths and challenges that have an impact on its potential for success. In addition to being well located with good transport links, the borough also has a strong business community, and an attractive environment.
However, many of these strengths also bring challenges. For example, for much of the borough development is constrained due to environmental and landscape designations (such as the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Green Belt), and whilst proximity to London and good accessibility to international gateways brings wealth into the area, it also contributes to higher housing prices, greater employment costs and congestion.
Strengths
- Location – proximity to London and to international gateways
- Good strategic transport network – good road and rail links that enable high levels of accessibility.
- An attractive environment that creates a high quality of life.
- A strong business community with a diverse number of key sectors that ensure local resilience.
- Comparatively low level of unemployment amongst the local work force.
- A high level of household income in comparison to other areas of Kent.
- A proactive and well-run local authority, with a strong partnership network.
Challenges
- Identifying new employment sites to meet future need given constraints.
- Housing price affordability for local people.
- Decarbonising the economy whilst maintaining sustainable growth.
- Loss of existing commercial premises through
- Permitted Development Rights.
- Limited Higher Education provision in the borough.
- Carving out a positive future for our town centres.
- Recruitment challenges for local businesses.
- Transport infrastructure often congested at peak times.
- Rural isolation – especially with local public transport services reduced and some areas of variable broadband coverage.
- Ineligibility for many public funding opportunities due to perceived affluence.