Tonbridge Civic Society submitted an objection to the planning inspector arguing the draft plan fails tests of effectiveness and consistency with national policy.
First, the plan appears not to incorporate updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requirements under Policy HE1(1)(e) by failing to include a local heritage list, leaving unlisted historic buildings and local character vulnerable to erosion amid dwindling conservation resources.
Beyond heritage, the plan relies on housing targets that outstrip local infrastructure capacity. Data from South East Water shows no guaranteed water supply to support this level of growth, and local wastewater and foul drainage systems face severe constraints. Furthermore, the proposals fail to provide credible mitigation for severe traffic bottlenecks like Higham Lane, or justify the loss of Green Belt land.
For these reasons, we have urged the Planning Inspectorate to pause the plan until these fundamental infrastructure deficits are resolved and binding heritage protections are put in place.