The latest draft of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s Local Plan is published today ahead of a review by councillors next week.
The Local Plan is a vital document that sets out how Tonbridge and Malling will develop until 2042. It guides where new homes, jobs and services will be provided, it ensures that growth is balanced while controlling development of green spaces, protecting historic areas and the delivering essential infrastructure.
Consideration of the early version of the plan by members of the Housing Planning Scrutiny Select Committee on 21 October marks a key step towards launching a public consultation next month. Residents, the public, businesses, community groups and developers will be invited to give their views and help shape the borough’s future.
The draft Local Plan addresses the government-set target of 19,746 (1,097 per year) new homes and seeks to prioritise development on previously used ‘brownfield’ sites and within existing urban areas. It also aims to protect valued green spaces and the character of the borough, while ensuring that infrastructure such as schools, transport and healthcare keeps pace with growth.
Without a Local Plan, the borough risks losing control over where and how development takes place, opening the door to unplanned applications. This makes it harder to reject proposals that may not align with community priorities, leading to uncontrolled growth and putting pressure on local infrastructure.
Major proposed sites in the plan include (over 500 units):
- Tonbridge, including Hilden Park - 3,214
- Borough Green – 2,050
- Medway Gap – 1,961
- Snodland and Ham Hill – 1,300
- Kings Hill – 1,220
- Hildenborough– 706
- Aylesford Village – 683
The proposed site allocations have been guided by a wide range of evidence, including land availability, infrastructure capacity, Green Belt and sustainability, and feedback from earlier consultations. The council has aimed to meet government housing targets in a way that supports sustainable growth, protects the environment, and reflects local character. Further testing and engagement will be undertaken before the Local Plan is finalised, to ensure that all proposed sites meet the needs of both existing and future communities.
Councillor Mike Taylor, cabinet member for planning said:
“Scrutiny of the plan by elected councillors is an important first step in delivering a robust road map for future development in Tonbridge and Malling. The Local Plan is about making sure we meet the needs of our communities, protect what makes our borough special, and plan for a sustainable future.
“This is the start of a conversation, not a foregone conclusion, with scope to amend the plan before we move to the next stage. So when the consultation opens, I encourage everyone to get involved and share their views.”
If new evidence comes forward during or after the consultation that suggests changes are needed, the council can make adjustments before the next stage of the plan – though any removed sites would need to be replaced elsewhere to meet housing numbers.
Further details, will be published on the council’s website following the committee meeting.