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WHAT ELSE WAS OF INTEREST IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ? — IN 2007
Sale of the Commons and the Pantiles (the Manor of Rusthall)
23 October 2007 — The details about the sale had been published.
"The Commons Tenancy Schedule:
The Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons (250 acres) are protected from development and managed by the Commons Conservators with funding from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on behalf of the people of Tunbridge Wells. However the freehold of the Commons is now offered for sale by the current owners, The Trustees of the Manor of Rusthall, and prospective purchasers will be able to retain approximately two thirds of any income or capital receipts. The other one third share is payable to the Freehold Tenants.
The clients seek offers for the Commons, and the associated legal title of "Lord of the Manor of Rusthall", in excess of 850,000 pounds sterling."
6 August 2007 — "The historic colonnade would be sold separately from the Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons and the Lord of the Manor title. Sale agents for the Manor's trustees, Richard Ellis Ltd of London (John Symes-Thompson), said an informal guide price for the portfolio was £10 million." — Sarah Harrington, The Courier
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Participants in the Town Centre Neighbourhood of ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS:
Trinity Theatre & Arts Centre, Jordan House (68 London Road/corner Church Road), Assembly Hall, Town Hall, Museum & Library Vaults, Opera House, Guided Walk on the Common.
 TWHODs 2007 - Participants, Open Days and Times
Other venues in Royal Tunbrigde Wells and villages of the Borough:
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Announcement for Tue 17 - Sun 22 July 2007 (8pm and 3pm Sat/Sun matinees)
For the second time
Tunbridge Wells Theatre Club will perform in Trinity Gardens:
The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, an hilarious adaptation by Dorothy Louise;
(actors: Stephen Upsall, David Meacham, Emma Doyle, Peter Emanuel, Derek Hollweg, Samantha Comfort;
director: Helen Tudball)
Outdoor Amenity, Open Spaces, Civic Spaces
— In 2005 we advised the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council that Green Spaces in the town centre have to be retained. We suggested the designation of an important Open Space in the RTW town centre: land surrounding Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre, Trinity House, The Priory, Hanover House and opposite the York Terrace (Nos. 6 - 14 York Road)
Reasons: — to safeguard the setting of the listed buildings; — to preserve amenity space for residents; — not to further damage this part of the Conservation Area.
Based on the core principles of the Heritage White Paper: "encourage local authorities and local communities to identify and protect their local heritage"; "local desigenation provides a means for local communities to identify and to protect the buildings, sites and spaces that matter to them";
and especially the announced TWBC's Town Centre Action Plan (Master Plan) and the upcoming Local Development Framework / Core Strategy
. . . . . . we lobby, lobby, and lobby again that this part of the Conservation Area is finally safeguarded from ruthless speculation.
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Le Tour de France through the Town Centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells
How could the local organisers forget to hoist the flags during 'Le Tour'?
- no Tricolor, - no St Geoge's Cross, - no Kent County flag !
8 July 2007 — Everybody wants to know: "What is the future of the Grade II Listed Building - the Town Hall in Royal Tunbridge Wells?"
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Habitat - Mount Pleasant/York Road (closed since 11 Feb 2007)
Everybody asks: "What is the future of the Grade II Listed Building ?"
We are extremely worried would any restaurant move into the former Habitat building, adjacent to the listed York Terrace. We have to rely on Robert Cottrill's (TWBC Director, Development/Planning) report that this empty site in the town centre is to remain in shopping use
(06.02.2007).
A restaurant would be unsuitable and a high risk for this building and area.
See as example:
8 May 2007 —
BBC News - Blaze fought at Elvis Restaurant (next door: Church of King Charles the Martyr, Chapel Place)
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Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Local Development Framework — Core Strategy
"From here to 2026"
6 March 2007 — Event Record: Camden Centre Royal Tunbridge Wells
Workshop of 70 attendees, representing a wide range of organisations
Issues & Options stage is the first stage in the process of producing the Core Strategy which will:
- be visionary, not detailed;
- show broad locations for development, not specific sites;
- contaiin broad policies to deliver the development required.
Key Issues for the Core Strategy:
The need to provide 5,000 new homes by 2026;
The need to protect and enhance the natural environment;
Recognition that the high qualitty and built natural environment encourages tourrism expenditure.
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Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Local Development Framework — Core Strategy
The Core Strategy will set out how, where and when all types of development will take place up to 2026
— Will our input be taken into consideration?
19 February 2007 - 2 April 2007 — The Telephone House Neighbours are asked to participate in the consultation.
The Borough Council will also be hosting an exhibition on the ‘Issues and Options’ report at the
Royal Victoria Place (RVP), Royal Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 3 March 2007, 9am - 6pm.
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Strategic Plan 2007-2010 — TWBC's approach to delivering its Corporate Priorities
12.02.2007 — Will our input be taken into consideration?
In 2005, the COUNCIL set itself CORPORATE PRIORITIES:
The Council will work in partnership to improve the quality of life for all who
live, work, enjoy leisure time in the borough.
1. Promote and maintain a thriving and diverse local economy;
2. Care for our environment;
3. Have housing suitable for local people;
4. Develop safer and stronger communities.
Priority 2 - Care for our Environment
Protection and Enhancement of Local Character
Retaining the quality of open spaces, countryside, pleasant residential areas and the borough’s considerable heritage is important to residents and visitors alike.
The BOROUGH OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS contains part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, local nature reserves, as well as some 25 Conservation Areas covering 783 hectares, and 3,000 Listed Buildings.
Principally through our planning powers and management of our own countryside
and open space estate, the Council will ensure the use of best practices to protect
and enhance these areas.
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Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Health Indicator Report
Ten key indicators are used to assess the health of the town centres of Royal Tunbridge Wells:
evening economy floorspace, retail floorspace, vacant retail property, footfall, retail yields, retail rents, retail sector employment, crime, transport and air quality.
Town Centre Health Indicator reports are produced each year for 17 town centres in Kent. The latest reports have been produced in January 2007 (data/information of 2001-2006). The report will be updated in January 2008.
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What else was of concern ? — in 2006
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What was going on ? — during 1999-2005
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Recent Improvements in the Neighbourhood
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TWBC Local Development Framework - Core Strategy - Consultation Draft - Feb/March 2006
