Page 34 - KPRM 2019

Kent County Council, Medway Council & Kent’s District Council Commentary
Infrastructure and Regeneration
Continued
Tunbridge Wells
Work is underway on the new Local Plan for Tunbridge Wells which will allocate land for approximately 13,500 homes and between 4.45 and 5.66ha (11 to 14acres) of employment space across the Borough. Public consultation on the Draft Plan began in September and is due to be submitted at the end of 2020. This Local Plan will guide development in the Borough until 2036.
The Borough Council and Kent County Council are working together to redevelop the existing museum, library and adult education centre in Royal Tunbridge Wells as the Amelia Centre for Culture & Learning. Services are being decanted from the building, with reduced services to be delivered from temporary locations in the town centre including the Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre and the Corn Exchange. Completion of the redevelopment is scheduled for 2021. It was decided at Full Council meeting on 8 October not to progress the Calverley Square proposals in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Funded through the Local Growth Fund, public realm improvements are underway for Mount Pleasant Road in Royal Tunbridge Wells, between the junctions of Monson Road and Church Road. The works include enhancements to Civic Way, improving the setting of the War Memorial and the introduction of vehicle movement restrictions as well
as improved pedestrian and cycling facilities. Vehicle access through this area will be limited to buses and taxis only between 9am and 6pm and with a 20mph speed restriction. Kent County Council is managing the works on behalf of the council due for completion in autumn 2019.
The former cinema site in central Royal Tunbridge Wells is subject to a new planning application which seeks consent for alterations to a previously approved development, including residential and commercial uses. The application is due to be determined at Planning Committee in Autumn 2019.
Work on the conversion of Merevale House in London Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, to a 110-bed Premier Inn Hotel is nearing completion, with an expected opening date in November this year.
Royal Victoria Place shopping centre has announced
that the Ely Court area of the centre will be opening as a new street food and entertainment market, comprising dining, cinema and live music. This is scheduled to open in late 2019. British Land has also announced that they will be investing £11m to renovate the existing centre, with completion of the works scheduled for summer 2020. The Corn Exchange in the Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells is set to become 17 suites of flexible serviced
office accommodation. Refurbishment work is nearing completion on site and the offices will become available later in 2019. Demolition of the Union House office
Proposal for Tunbridge Wells former cinema site,
32 Kent Property Market Report 2019
PHOTO: ELYSIAN RESIDENCES