Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is asking for feedback from the community as it begins the process of identifying land for future development across the region. Residents, landowners, and developers are invited to submit sites for potential housing, business, or community use as part of a review covering the years 2029 to 2044.
The council’s call for sites, which opened on 11 May 2026, will remain open for residents and interested parties until midnight on 3 August 2026. This review is a requirement following the adoption of the local plan in December 2025. It also comes as the borough faces a new government housing target of 1,098 homes per year, which is a 66% increase from the previous requirement of 678.
Finding space for this growth presents a challenge for the area. According to local planning information, 70% of the borough is designated as a national landscape, and there are large areas of green belt and ancient woodland, leaving very few brownfield sites available for redevelopment.
All sites suggested during this period will be evaluated through a process known as the Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment. This assessment involves council-led site visits, sustainability checks, and feedback from official consultees to determine the suitability of the land for future projects.
Residents are also encouraged to use this time to highlight areas they believe should be protected from future development. The council is working toward a deadline of 30 June 2026 to publish a formal notice of its intention to carry out this plan-making, which is being conducted under new government regulations introduced in March 2026.
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