Dear Supporters
Hearings will resume next week, to discuss the Matters, Issues, and Questions (MIQs) that the Inspector has determined following his review of the revised local plan proposed by TWBC and recent consultation responses. The key dates next week are:
Tuesday, 18th June (from 10am)
Matter 1 – Green Belt/Sustainability/Development Strategy
Wednesday, 19th June (from 9.30am)
Matter 3 – The Strategy for Tudeley Village
Thursday, 20th June (from 2pm)
Matter 8 – Housing Need (also important session with the most participants)
The hearing sessions will take place in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall.
All of the stage 3 hearings sessions will be live streamed online at TunbridgeWells.Public-i.tv.
Once the hearing sessions have concluded, they will each be available to view under the TunbridgeWells.Public-i.tv webcast library. If you experience any issues viewing the live streams, please seek assistance from TWBC via LocalPlan@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
You can find out who is attending, the matters to be discussed, and read the Hearing Statements submitted by Save Capel, TWBC, Hadlow Estate, and others here.
Planning Counsel
Simon has co-ordinated our legal team throughout the various stages of the local plan since 2020, and presented very effectively at the hearings in June 2022. He has an in-depth understanding of our evidence, position, and requirements… and we are grateful for his re-scheduling of his diary to attend the three hearing days next week.
During his legal career, Simon has been involved in advising on many high-profile projects including HS2, the expansion of the UK’s airport capacity and the effects of Brexit on the UK. Over the course of these projects, he developed his interest in planning and public law, infrastructure litigation, judicial reviews, resolving regulatory law issues, compulsory purchase and land use work. You can read his full profile with The Barrister Group here.
Motion Consultants
Motion is a leading independent consultancy providing expert advice in transport and travel planning, water, infrastructure and civil engineering design services. We are delighted that their team continues to assist Save Capel in our critical analysis of the numerous reports produced by TWBC’s consultants, working alongside Counsel to prepare our evidence for the Public Inquiry. John Russell will also be giving evidence at the hearing on Wednesday (Tudeley Village).
John joined Motion in March 2017 and his background is in civil engineering with over 27 years’ experience in the industry. In that time, he has managed strategic land development and transport studies – in particular, focusing on the residential and energy sectors as well as waste, commercial and education. John has a wealth of experience acting as an expert witness, representing amongst others Imperial London Hotels Limited and the Ramblers’ Association.
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
