Dear Supporters
This Newsletter provides some feedback on our recent AGM and an update of where the TWBC Local Plan process is heading. There is also the latest on the proposed developments at East Capel and at Finches Farm, and a petition to clarify the government’s definition of ‘grey belt’. We have covered a lot of important issues so please read on…
Save Capel AGM
The Save Capel (‘SC’) AGM on 28 May was well attended and it was very encouraging that so many of our community remain engaged and focused on the known and potential areas of development in East Capel, as well as the development of the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan more generally.
Our supporters and guests included:
- Ben Chapelard, Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
- Mark Munday, KCC Councillor for our area
- Hugh Patterson, TWBC Councillor, Pembury and Capel
- Astra Birch, TWBC Councillor, Pembury and Capel
- Dave Parrish, Chairman of Capel Greenbelt Society (‘CGPS’)
The third of our three TWBC Councillors, David Hayward, had presented his apologies as he was unable to attend.
Following a welcome and introductions by SC’s Chairman Stewart Gledhill, Executive member Mark Colyer presented a review of SC’s past achievements, alongside those of CGPS – including the deletion of Tudeley Garden Village and over 1,000 proposed homes in the rest of Capel Parish from the Local Plan.
Dave Parrish oversaw the unanimous re-election of the SC Executive members.
Stewart then presented a summary of ‘Where We are Now’, focusing on the proposed Main Modifications to the Local Plan, which were the subject of a statutory public consultation. The shortcomings and challenges of the Plan post-modifications were considered in turn. Principal amongst these were:
- the remaining flood risk,
- the uncertainty around the provision of education to a greater number of pupils,
- and the timing and financing of the infrastructure enhancements needed
It is expected that, following approval of the Main Modifications by the Inspector, the Local Plan would be adopted by TWBC, and then, as there would be a shortfall in the housing target for TWBC, it would immediately go into a full review with a new Call For Sites. Only at this point, will residents get an idea of the intentions of the Hadlow Estate and other developers.
Click on the button below to view the consultation website…
Hugh Patterson, for Capel and Pembury, and Ben Chapelard, for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council provided updates from the viewpoint of the parish council and TWBC respectively. Ben’s presentation covered what’s happening next in the wider national context of the English Devolution White Paper and the reorganisation and devolution of powers to Local Authorities. The anticipation was that the Boroughs of Tunbridge Wells, alongside Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and potentially Maidstone, would comprise a new West Kent Unitary Authority by April 2028.
A look-forward from a more local perspective, and specific to SC, was made by Executive members Jan Mueller and Chris Wise before a Q&A session to end the meeting.
So what happens next with the local plan?
TWBC has just published the public’s and other responses to the proposed Main Modifications (MMs) consultation. There were a total of 258 Main Modifications and the Council’s responses to individual points is available as a summary table here.
The headlines are:
- There were 82 respondents in total, the majority raising concerns about many of the MMs. The majority of developers responded, usually with supportive comments but even they raised concerns as well.
- Save Capel submitted a comprehensive representation (read here) and is disappointed with TWBC’s summary of responses, and has written to the Inspector to say so.
- Mike Martin MP for Tunbridge Wells told the Inspector “It is good that concerns were listened to about further housing in East Capel and Tudeley. I cannot see any reason why these plans should be revisited”.
- And from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, who have been consistent opponents of the sites on their border “Support removal of Tudeley Garden Village from the development strategy. TMBC did not consider draft Plan was sound due to unresolved delivery, transport impacts and infrastructure concerns of the proposed Tudeley development and these are now overcome with removal of these proposals from the Plan.”
In summary, we still believe that the MMs are unsound and hope the Inspector will fully consider our points when finalising his schedule of required MMs and decision on soundness….concluding with his “Final Report” on the examination.
This week we have received a response from the Inspector’s Programme Officer to our letter explaining what happens next…
Dandara (Badsell Farm)
Some of you may have attended the exhibition by Crest Nicholson (details here) earlier this year, playing catch-up representatives of Dandara attended the Capel Parish Council meeting this week. They are working on their application for around 520 houses in the southern part of the East Capel plan.
The key points of the presentation and subsequent discussion are:
- The eastern ‘island of development’ closest to Paddock Wood would be developed first and designs are being prepared
- The other two ‘islands’ are problematic and need to address the recently updated flood mapping from the Environment Agency
- Access needs to be clarified in masterplanning where there are a number of concerns raised
- Connectivity with the Crest parcel, north of the railway, requires further work
- Unclear provision of cycling/walking links, e.g. with Five Oak Green
- Proposed internal ‘bus gates’ to restrict vehicle access through the site
- Serious concerns expressed about the location of the gypsy/traveller site
- Dandara expect to conduct an exhibition around Sep/Oct before submitting an application by the end of the year
Dandara accept they are behind the curve and have been waiting for clearer direction of the local plan’s adoption. Serious concerns were raised that they need to work more closely with Crest and a joint public engagement was suggested by residents as being helpful.
Changing the ‘grey belt’ definition
There are growing concerns nationally about the ‘grey belt’ definition in the NPPF and Save Capel supports the petition that urges the Government to restore protections by ensuring that ‘grey belt’ proposals are judged against all five Green Belt purposes consistently throughout the NPPF to balance development needs against the many benefits of conservation.
The labour government introduced the term ‘Grey Belt’ which was initially described as poor-quality Green Belt land such as disused car parks. Campaigners believe the new definition in the NPPF is so broad it could include almost any Green Belt land. The Green Belt prevents urban sprawl, protects nature & supports our health. The count has already passed 6,000 responses.
Finches Farm
The application for around 130 houses next to Capel Primary School is still being considered by TWBC where more than 100 documents have been attached (read here).
This would be a major development in the green belt and is NOT included in the local plan. Numerous residents have objected and Save Capel’s response is here. Concerns of the Environment Agency and KCC Highways are of note. The application is expected to go before the Planning Committee at some point soon.
Summing Up
So, here we are, six years on, much time, effort and money spent, and TWBC at best have half a plan, which still has more issues than solutions. A sorry state of affairs. We do believe though, that with your support SAVE CAPEL have fought a good fight with some excellent results at this stage.
But that fight now goes on. With a National Government hell-bent on imposing housing targets with little or no regard to the necessary infrastructure to support them, Local Government in a state of flux and massive reorganisation, the next battlefield is uncertain but it seems certain that there will be further proposed development for Capel in the plan’s review. We can only ask for your continuing support to allow SAVE CAPEL to face whatever challenges are coming down the road.
The Capel community has shown what can be achieved with togetherness and engagement over the past six years. Our Executive is comprised of seven committed and engaged members who are very grateful for the support received throughout – as most recently shown at the annual meeting where each was re-elected. As was mentioned then, our door is always open if anyone else in the community feels able to join the Executive, so that there is some rotation of members over time, to broaden our pool of knowledge and experience and to share the work, which mainly comes during the periodic public consultations on the Local Plan and related matters by TWBC. If anyone is interested and would like to find out some more, please contact savecapel@gmail.com
As ever, the Save Capel Executive would like to thank you all for your continuing support. We’d love to hear your feedback on this via email to savecapel@gmail.com
Stewart, Ian, Maggie, Charlie, Jan, Mark, and Chris
