The decision to refuse planning permission at River Walk has been deferred on the advice of the Borough Solicitor and will mean that the matter will be brought back to the Committee for consideration in the same way that the 40-Acre Field decision at East Malling was, after that too was rejected by Councillors. 

 

The land in Tonbridge is currently owned by the Council, which is selling it against the wishes of residents who would rather see the building there repurposed.

 

Green Councillors April Clark and Mark Hood both argued against the development on the grounds of no affordable housing provision on site and a derisory sum being proposed in lieu, the unsuitability of the building within Tonbridge Conservation Area, the effect it will have on the Air Quality Management Area In the High Street, and the over development of the site.