Policy information sourced from Tonbridge Central Area Action Plan

TCA11 Development Allocations

The following sites, as defined on the Proposals Map, are allocated for a mix of town centre uses (with the primary uses specified in respect of each site) including retail (A1, A3, A4 subject to policies TCA3, TCA4, TCA6, TCA7 and TCA8), business/commercial, community, cultural, leisure, hotel and residential use. They should be developed in accordance with the criteria identified in respect of each site and all general policy requirements, including any necessary contributions towards the provision of recreation, education and other community facilities pursuant to Policy CP25.

  • Botany (SDC13 and SDC19) - suitable for primarily retail, leisure, cultural, commercial and residential uses (120 dwellings), subject to:
    • the provision of a minimum of two pedestrian access points from the High Street, to include full 24 hour public access;
    • public realm enhancements along the Botany Stream, to include full 24 hour public access, and along Avenue de Puy and Vale Road;
    • the retention of a through cycle and pedestrian route between Avenue du Puy and the High Street;
    • the provision of high quality, flexible community meeting space to replace that currently accommodated within the Angel Centre, and capable of meeting the current and future needs of the Tonbridge community;
    • appropriate provision of sports facilities currently accommodated within the Angel Centre, either as an integral part of the development, or elsewhere at a suitable location;
    • provision of landmark and prominent corner buildings as identified on the Proposals Map; • provision of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Botany Stream to connect with site SDC14 at the appropriate point; and
    • provision of new public open spaces at Angel Square and Botany Square in accordance with policy TCA10; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • The Tonbridge Station Complex (SDC9, SDC11 and SDC12) - suitable for a high quality rail and public transport interchange with associated commuter car parking in accordance with policies TCA14, TCA15 and TCA16; high density residential development comprising town houses and apartments (400 dwellings); and retail use in accordance with policies TCA3, TCA4 and TCA6 subject to:
    • public realm enhancements on Railway Approach, Quarry Hill Road, Vale Road, and Priory Road in accordance with policy TCA10;
    • significant improvements to bus-rail interchange facilities, including provision for taxis;
    • provision of a landmark building and prominent corner buildings as identified on the Proposals Map;
    • measures to mitigate rail noise and vibration; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • River Walk West (SDC1) - suitable for redevelopment for primarily residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (6 dwellings), with the potential for retail (A1, A3, A4) at ground floor level in accordance with policy TCA7 subject to:
    • public realm enhancements along River Walk and the River Medway footpath in accordance with policy TCA10; and
    • the provision of a through footpath along the River Medway.
  • 1-2 River Walk (SDC3) - suitable for redevelopment for primarily residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (6 dwellings), with the potential for retail or commercial office space at ground floor level in accordance with policy TCA7, subject to:
    • public realm enhancements along River Walk and New Wharf Road in accordance with policy TCA10.
  • Bradford Street south (SDC4) - suitable for primarily residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (10 dwellings), with the potential for some retail space at ground floor level in accordance with policy TCA7 subject to:
    • public realm enhancements along River Walk adjoining the Gardens of Remembrance and Bradford Street in accordance with policy TCA10; and
    • the retention of some public car parking and provision of servicing yard access off Bradford Street.
  • River Lawn (SDC5 and SDC6) - suitable for primarily residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (30 dwellings), with the potential for retail or commercial floorspace at ground floor level in accordance with policy TCA7 subject to:
    • the identification and provision of an alternative facility for the use of the Teen and Twenty Club and other users of that building;
    • provision of a landmark building as identified on the Proposals Map;
    • public realm enhancements at River Lawn and River Lawn Road in accordance with policy TCA10;
    • retention of public parking; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • Avebury Avenue (SDC7) - suitable for residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (12 dwellings) subject to:
    • the provision of good streetscape and development at a scale in keeping with the residential characteristics of the surrounding area;
    • the provision of off-street parking; and
    • consideration of the relocation needs for any businesses affected.
  • Tonbridge Library and adjacent area (SDC8) - suitable for retail or commercial floor space in accordance with policy TCA3, and TCA4 and residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (30 dwellings) subject to:
    • the provision of alternative library and adult education and associated facilities within the Tonbridge Central Area;
    • provision of a prominent corner building as identified on the Proposals Map; and
    • public realm enhancements at the Southern Gateway, Barden Road and Avebury Avenue, in accordance with policy TCA10.
  • Quarry Hill Road/Waterloo Road (SDC10) - suitable for a combination of retail and commercial office space subject to policy TCA06, and residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (100 dwellings) or an hotel (either in combination with the above uses or as a stand-alone facility), subject to:
    • provision of on-site parking accessed from Waterloo Road;
    • provision of a prominent corner building as identified on the Proposals Map; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • Sovereign House (SDC14) - suitable for retail and commercial office space or residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (80 dwellings) subject to:
    • public realm enhancements along the Botany Stream, to include full 24 hour public access, in accordance with policy TCA10;
    • provision of a footpath and cycle link to the Botany site to the south (SDC13); and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • Waitrose/Iceland car park (SDC15) - suitable for car parking, to include the retention of existing on-site provision, subject to policy TCA15, and residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (40 dwellings), subject to:
    • proposals which assist in animating the Botany Stream and provision of an attractive waterside environment; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • Tannery Trading Estate (SDC16) - suitable for a mix of residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (100 dwellings) with opportunity for some commercial office and business space, subject to:
    • public realm enhancements along the Gas Works Stream, to include full 24 hour public access, and environmental enhancement of the adjacent Sovereign Way in accordance with policy TCA10; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • Lyons Crescent (SDC17) - suitable for residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (8 dwellings) subject to:
    • provision of a pedestrian link adjoining the River Medway to include full 24 hour public access, connecting with such facilities available on the sites immediately adjoining to the east and west.
  • Sovereign Way North (SDC18) - suitable for primarily residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (50 dwellings) to include units suitable for family housing subject to:
    • the provision of alternative parking spaces for users of the Town Centre either elsewhere within the Central Area, subject to policy TCA15 and TCA16, or by decking;
    • public realm enhancements along the Gas Works Stream, to include full 24 hour public access, and enhancement of the Sovereign Way frontage in accordance with policy TCA10;
    • provision for the landing of a pedestrian/ cycle bridge connection to the River Centre site to the north west of Botany Stream;
    • provision for any necessary junction improvements at Avenue du Puy and Sovereign Way; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • Munday Works West (SDC23) - suitable for residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (50 dwellings) to include units suitable for family housing, subject to:
    • being integrated with Sovereign Way north in terms of design, layout and pedestrian and vehicle connections;
    • a pedestrian and cycle connection being provided between Sovereign Way and Medway Wharf Road;
    • public realm enhancements along the Gas Works Stream, to include full 24 hour public access, and Sovereign Way in accordance with policy TCA10;
    • a satisfactory assessment of the environmental interrelationship with the Tonbridge Industrial Estate sites to the south-east; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • Avenue de Puy East (SDC20 and SDC21) - suitable for commercial offices, further education, or other non-retail uses appropriate to a Town Centre location, subject to:
    • identification and provision of an alternative site for the indoor bowls club;
    • provision of a prominent corner building as identified on the Proposals Map; and
    • public realm enhancements along Avenue de Puy, Strawberry Place, the Botany Stream and the existing footpath and cycle link from Strawberry Vale, to include full 24 hour public access, in accordance with policy TCA10.
  • Strawberry Vale (SDC22) - suitable for residential development at a density appropriate to a town centre location (20 dwellings) including units suitable for family housing subject to:
    • public realm enhancements along Vale Road and at Strawberry Place in accordance with policy TCA10;
    • provision of measures to mitigate rail noise and vibration;
    • reflecting the character of the residential properties to the east; and
    • recognising the need for adequate offstreet parking.
  • Gas Works (SDC24) - suitable for residential development at a density appropriate to its riverside location (80 dwellings) including units suitable for family accommodation, subject to:
    • being integrated with the adjoining site to the west in terms of design, layout and pedestrian and vehicle connections;
    • provision of a new pedestrian and cycle connection between the River Medway and the Gas Works Stream, to include full 24 hour public access;
    • public realm enhancements along the River Medway and Gas Works Stream, to include full 24 hour public access, in accordance with policy TCA10; and
    • decontamination of the site and any necessary land remediation.
  • Cannon Lane (SDC25) - suitable for leisure, hotel, commercial office and residential development at a density appropriate to a riverside location (100 Dwellings) to include units suitable for family housing (as an alternative to the permitted retail use), subject to:
    • provision of a landmark building, as identified on the Proposals Map;
    • public realm enhancements along the River Medway; and
    • full 24 hour public pedestrian and cycle access alongside the River Medway in accordance with policy TCA10.
  • Riverdale Estate (SDC26)- suitable for commercial office use.
  • Site at Junction of Vale Rise and Cannon Lane (the former Colas site)(SDC27) - suitable for commercial office, hotel or business use subject to:
    • provision of a prominent corner building, as identified on the Proposals Map, and high quality perimeter buildings to enclose the site to inward views from the north and north-east;
    • provision for any necessary junction improvements at Vale Road and Vale Rise, subject to policy TCA12;
    • measures to mitigate noise from the railway and adjoining business uses as may be required; and
    • any further decontamination that may be necessary.
  • Priory Road/Goldsmith Road junction west (SDC28) - suitable for residential development at a density appropriate to a central location (30 dwellings) subject to:
    • measures to mitigate noise disturbance from the railway;
    • measures to address any land contamination;
    • public realm enhancements in accordance with TC10; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.
  • Priory Road/Goldsmith Road junction east (SDC29) - suitable for residential development at a density appropriate to a central location (30 dwellings) subject to:
    • measures to mitigate noise disturbance from the railway;
    • measures to address any land contamination;
    • public realm enhancements in accordance with TC10; and
    • contributions towards the improvement of off-site sewerage capacity.

For more information please see the Central Area Action Plan