Residents, businesses and community groups are being invited to help shape the future of Tonbridge and Malling with a consultation on the draft Local Plan opening today (Monday 10 November 2025).
The Local Plan is a vital document that will guide development across Tonbridge and Malling up to 2042. It sets out a vision for the borough, identifying where new homes, jobs, infrastructure, and services should be located.
Without a plan in place, the area is more vulnerable to speculative planning applications that may not reflect local needs or priorities. The plan also offers protection for the unique character, environment, and heritage of the borough, balancing the demands of development with the need to safeguard green spaces, support biodiversity and deliver road improvements and other infrastructure improvements.
This consultation marks the second stage of what’s known as the Regulation 18 process during which initial proposals are put forward to public feedback. The current draft plan identifies sites that could accommodate over 19,000 new homes, a target specified by Government, along with employment and retail space. It also sets out policies to address climate change, promote high-quality design and support economic growth.
At this stage of the process more than 60 sites are being put forward for potential development. Fifty-four of the sites are earmarked for new homes with nine proposed for business or employment.
With more than 70 per cent of the borough in the Green Belt, a key principle of the plan is to prioritise previously developed brownfield sites and existing urban areas to manage pressure on greenfield areas. Where greenfield or Green Belt sites are identified, the plan focuses on locations close to existing developed areas with good infrastructure to help ensure the sustainability of new communities.
People are encouraged to explore the draft Local Plan and interactive maps of proposed development sites. The online consultation allows users to review each section or topic area and provide feedback on the issues that matter most to them. There is no requirement to answer every question. All comments will be considered as part of the independent examination of the Local Plan.
Mike Taylor, cabinet member responsible for planning, said: “We want everyone in Tonbridge and Malling to have a say in how our borough grows and develops. The Local Plan is about making sure we have the right homes, jobs, and infrastructure in the right places, while protecting what makes our area special. Your feedback is essential to help us get this right for current and future generations, so I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and share their views.”
Paper copies of the Local Plan are available at council offices, and a series of public exhibitions and drop-in events will be held across the borough to provide further opportunities for engagement.
The consultation will run until midnight 2 January 2026.
Consultation details and dates for public meetings can be found on the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's Local Plan web pages.