Policy information sourced from Tonbridge Central Area Action Plan

TCA10 Public Realm Priorities

Within the Tonbridge Central Area the Borough Council will, either itself or jointly with developers, promote proposals to enhance the public realm to improve the appearance and accessibility of the Town Centre.

Proposals for development will be required to satisfy all of the following criteria:

  • provision of full 24 hour public access to public spaces;
  • provision of high quality paving materials and well designed, co-ordinated street furniture to include lamp stands, seating, litter bins, public transport stops, signage, and cycle stands;
  • provision of pedestrian and cycle routes that are clear and direct with crossing points that correspond with desire lines in accordance with an adopted Cycling Strategy; and
  • provision should be made for servicing retail and business premises where necessary in a way that is unobtrusive and does not provide a barrier to pedestrian access.

Enhancements to the public realm will be promoted in the following locations, as shown on the Proposals Map, and in accordance with policies TCA12 and TCA13. Potential sources of funding for improvements appear in brackets:

  • St Stephen’s Place at the junction of Quarry Hill Road and Pembury Road (LTP funding and Central Area Fund);
  • Station Gate at Station Approach and the junction of the High Street and Vale Road (LTP funding, Network Rail and Central Area Fund);
  • Riverside Gardens at River Lawn and River Lawn Road (Central Area Fund);
  • Gardens of Remembrance (Central Area Fund);
  • New Wharf Place at New Wharf Road, River Walk and the Somerfield car park (Central Area Fund);
  • The High Street from the junction of Vale Road to Big Bridge (LTP funding and Central Area Fund);
  • The upper High Street north of the Big Bridge (Central Area fund);
  • Strawberry Place (Central Area Fund);
  • Castle Place including Bank Street and Castle Street (Central Area Fund);
  • Medway Wharf Road/High Street Junction (LTP funding and Central Area Fund);
  • Sovereign Way (in association with individual development proposals and Central Area Fund); and
  • Tonbridge Waterfront comprising the River Medway and its tributaries (Environment Agency and Central Area Fund).

The following new public open spaces will be promoted, as shown on the Proposals Map:

  • Angel Square;
  • Botany Square;
  • Medway Wharf Gate; and
  • Town Lock.

For more information please see the Central Area Action Plan