Current position
A consultation for Regulation 18 on the Draft Local Plan ran from 10 November 2025 to midnight on 2 January 2026. The consultation has now closed, thank you to everyone for your comments.
All comments received will be reviewed and considered alongside the supporting evidence as we continue to develop the Plan.
What happens next
We are analysing the consultation responses and carrying out further technical work where required. This will inform the next stage of the process, known as Regulation 19, when a proposed final version of the Local Plan will be published for consultation before submission to the Government for independent examination.
We are preparing a new Local Plan, which looks ahead to 2042. It sets out a vision and objectives for the borough and a spatial strategy for growth, that identifies the locations where development will take place. It sets out both strategic and non-strategic policies that will guide development across the borough, that will contribute towards achieving the desired social, environmental, and economic outcomes.
Once adopted, the Local Plan will form part of the Development Plan for the borough, replacing all existing development plan documents and will be used to assess and make decisions on planning applications, as well as to inform investment decisions and the provision of infrastructure.
The timetable for Local Plan preparation can be found in our revised - Local Development Scheme (LDS).
What’s in the plan?
The Local Plan sets out how we will meet the government’s objectively assessed housing need requirement to deliver 19,746 new homes, 1097 per year. Crucially, it also provides greater control over where development can take place.
We’ve carefully reviewed around 500 potential development sites and have proposed to allocate those sites that are considered suitable and deliverable to best meet the needs of our communities while protecting what makes Tonbridge and Malling special. These sites are included in the draft plan.
Our aim is to:
- Maximise development on suitable previously developed land/brownfield sites
- Release greenfield land in sustainable locations
- Protect the character of our towns and villages
- Deliver environmental improvements
- Ensure the right infrastructure is in place
