Decision
Analysis
outcome: The decision was to submit the representations to the consultation in order to continue providing advice and guidance to the neighbourhood plan steering group.
summary: The decision at stake is whether to submit Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's representations to the Regulation 16 consultation on the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Submission Version.
topline: The Cabinet Member for Planning has decided to submit Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's representations to the Regulation 16 consultation on the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Submission Version.
reason_contentious: This issue is not particularly contentious as it involves fulfilling a legal requirement and providing support for neighbourhood planning.
affected_stakeholders: ["Tunbridge Wells Borough Council", "Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group"]
contentiousness_score: 2
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://democracy.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3047
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Planning
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: Yes
Purpose: This report relates to the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Development Plan Submission Version, that can be accessed on the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council website.
Content: This report relates to the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Development Plan Submission Version, that can be accessed on the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council website. RESOLVED - That the table of comments presented in Appendix A be submitted as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s representations to the Regulation 16 consultation on the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Submission Version. The preferred option is Option C: ‘to endorse the proposed representations to the Regulation 16 consultation’ as this would enable TWBC to continue to provide advice and guidance to the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and engage in the consultation process. It is considered that the polices contained in the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Submission Version are in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the adopted and emerging development plan documents for Tunbridge Wells Borough. Option A: ‘not submitting TWBC representations to the Regulation 16 consultation, the ‘do nothing scenario’’: This option would involve TWBC not continuing to provide the advice and guidance that has been available for the neighbourhood plan group during the preparation of the draft Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan. There is a legal requirement for local authorities to provide support for those preparing neighbourhood plans. The local planning authority should take a proactive and positive approach, working collaboratively with a neighbourhood planning body particularly sharing evidence and seeking to resolve any issues to ensure the draft neighbourhood plan has the greatest chance of success at independent examination. Planning and specialist officers have been available, wherever possible, particularly in relation to helping to understand the TWBC Local Plan context and drafting policies, to provide advice and guidance to the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. Option B: ‘submit alternative representations to the Regulation 16 consultation’: the representations to the Regulation 16 consultation on the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Submission Version presented in Appendix A reflect advice and comments from a range of TWBC professional officers in the planning department. This option would require additional liaison and discussion with these officers with some indication from the Portfolio Holder as to what alternatives officers are being asked to consider. This could mean the consultation deadline is not met. No conflicts of interest were declared by any Member who was consulted in respect of this decision.
Date of Decision: July 25, 2025