Southborough and High Brooms
Neighbourhood Development Plan
Update – May 2026
REFERENDUM on Thursday 18th June 2026
Have your say - please vote
Neighbourhood planning is a way for communities to have a say in the future of the places where they live. The Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan is the result of active community involvement since 2023 and sets out a vision of how the area will evolve and thrive to meet the needs of its residents. Our Plan is designed to work with the recently-adopted Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan but has more local detail specific to Southborough and
High Brooms.
If you are a registered voter for an address in the Neighbourhood Area on 2nd June 2026 you are entitled to vote in this referendum.
The referendum will follow procedures similar to local government elections. You will receive a ballot paper asking you to vote “yes” or “no” in answer to the following question:
“Do you want Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Southborough and High Brooms to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”
If more than 50% of individuals vote ‘yes’ in the referendum then Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will ‘make’ the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Development Plan. If the Plan is ‘made’ it will help determine planning applications in our Neighbourhood Area. It will also form part of the statutory development plan for
Tunbridge Wells borough.
The referendum documents can be viewed from the links on this page and from the TWBC Referendum Information Statement.
The Referendum Version of the Plan includes policies for:
Location & Character of development - defining character areas to encourage better designed developments that maintain and support each area’s distinct and valued qualities.
Design Standards - setting out detailed standards to support energy efficiency, sustainability, biodiversity and environmental protection.
Green Spaces and Views – describing why these local green spaces and views are special to+ the community and safeguarding them for future generations.
Heritage Assets - identifying local heritage assets to conserve and celebrate the area’s history.
Support for businesses - supporting established and new local business, including our shops, leisure/recreational facilities and creative industries, to deliver economic vitality and an engaging user experience.
A paper copy of the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Version can be viewed at:
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Southborough Library, 137 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0ND. You can view their opening times on the Southborough Library website.
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St. Matthew’s Church Office, High Brooms Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9BW from Monday to Friday (excl. Wednesdays) 9am to 3pm.
A paper copy will also be on deposit at the Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS.
Please email neighbourhoodplans@tunbridgewells.gov.uk to arrange an appointment.