The Trees in York Road between Trinity House and No. 27 York Road, Tunbridge Wells


From the Royal Tunbridge Wells Conservation Area Appraisal, approved on 16 November 2000
we learn the following:

Contribution of green spaces, trees and hedges
(9.7.14):
The town centre is densely developed, and trees and planting are much less widespread than in surrounding areas. However, this can even focus the importance of planting and landscape where it forms part of the townscape. The avenue tree planting in lower Mount Pleasant Road is a prime example, and it lends the quality of a pleasant promenade to the street that perhaps reflects that of the Pantiles, and certainly is a model that might be extended elsewhere in the main town centre streets. In Church Road, some street planting survives in front of Clarence Terrace (Nos. 16-22), and further trees could be re-introduced into the street.
(9.7.15):
Mature planting behind the main streets is also of importance in the town centre. . . . . . . . . . . but there is a noticeable lack of planting otherwise.



The case officer dealing with the 2nd planning application now gone into appeal, wrote in her appraisal/report to the Members (Councillors) of the Western Area Planning Committee, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council:

Loss of trees in York Road as stated previously, the existing trees make a positive contribution to the streetscene.Their loss as part of these proposals is regretted. However, I do not consider that refusal could be justified on this ground alone, particularly when weighed against the positive elements of the proposal in relation to the impact on the Conservation Area.

Inexplicable to everyone is the inconsistency of decision making by TWBC:
In the first refused application by Crest Homes / Southgate Developments some of the grounds for refusal were:

(1) . . . . . impact on trees. . . . . .(Policy EN5)
(4) The proposal would involve the removal of significant trees which would be contrary to Policy EN1(3) of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 1996.






What went wrong with the Telephone House Planning Applications ?
The uneasy questions to the Chief Executive Rodney Stone and other senior officers of TWBC
2003 - The questions are still unanswered - they are as intriguing as 2 years ago.
April 2002 - CALA Homes bought this planning application.

Is CALA Homes really going ahead with THAT scheme?

The Telephone House Neighbours Association informs on CALA Homes (South) Development :
CALA Group acquired the controversial planning permission for the high density development of Telephone House site, Church Road / York Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1.