Trench Ward Tonbridge Conservatives

11/06/2026

DEVELOPER DEFEAT IN PLANNING APPEAL AT 335 SHIPBOURNE ROAD

We are pleased that a government planning inspector has supported the Council’s decision to refuse planning permission to squeeze a 7th house onto this small backland plot.

The inspector agreed with all three refusal reasons put forward by Trench Ward Councillors Adem Mehmet and Keith Tunstall, finding that the proposal would harm neighbouring amenity, impact a protected oak tree and be poorly designed.

The inspector also threw out the developers application for costs, ruling that these reasons were not unreasonable.

Overall a great result for our local residents and a clear message that we should not tolerate poorly designed developments.

08/06/2026

PETITION FOR NEW ZEBRA CROSSING ON SHIPBOURNE ROAD

We have started a petition calling for a new zebra crossing on Shipbourne Road outside of Willow Lea in place of the existing island.

This is a main crossing point for local families and children going to and from nearby schools and Frogbridge Recreation ground / Woodland Walk.

The island crossing does not feel safe with cars speeding up and down the road, and with the area increasingly popular with families and children, we feel this is an overdue safety measure. It should also help reduce speeds on Shipbourne Road.

Please sign our petition here:- https://www.tonbridgeconservatives.org.uk/campaign-new-zebra-crossing-shipbourne-road

Or email us at [email protected] and [email protected] if you would like to support this proposal.

Let us know if you think this is a good idea in the comments👇🏼

02/06/2026

31/05/2026

Some of the bins are a mess down at the racecourse today, particularly around lower castle fields car park.

We have contacted the Cabinet Member for waste at the Council to ask whether they could be emptied more frequently over the summer.

Let’s try and keep our town tidy, and if bins are full it’s better to take rubbish home or use another bin rather than just leave it on the floor.

16/05/2026

14/05/2026

11/05/2026

Rose and Crown update

The owners have carried out the urgent works required and have removed the identified risk to the public so no legal action is required by us under the Dangerous Structures elements of the Building Act 1984.

However, as a result of suspected water damage they are now required to undertake works to expose the beams and columns within the timber fabric and assess the overall condition of the portico roof, this will enable their engineers and our building control team to better understand the extent of the works necessary. If necessary, we can enforce this through legislation. The council was already in the process of planning enforcement action and that process will continue.

06/05/2026

ROSE & CROWN UPDATE

Urgent works to the portico of the Rose and Crown hotel in the Tonbridge have been requested by Tonbridge and Malling’s Building Control, giving the owners seven days to comply to avoid legal action.

A structural report commissioned by the owners, and shared with the council, assessed the works required to the building and identified a number that need urgent attention. This includes repairs to the portico that could pose a risk to the public if not acted on now.

The council now requires that under Section 77 of the Building Act 1984 (Dangerous Structures), the owners must carry out the identified actions without delay to reduce risk to the public. The works should be carried out within seven days, and the hotel’s failure to do so will result in the council making an application to the Magistrates Court to act on the matter.

Further works are also urgently required to the column’s flat roof and the shield/coat of arms that have been identified in a recent listed building notice. If necessary, the council will also pursue these through the courts.

Cllr Adem Mehmet, Trench Ward & Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Tonbridge Regeneration explained:

“The council has been in regular contact with the owners at the Rose and Crown hotel and we are pleased to see that a report has now been produced that sets out the extent of the work necessary to restore the building to a satisfactory standard. However, while we appreciate the efforts that the owners have made, the structural recent report makes it clear that unless something is done urgently to repair the portico the public could be at risk and therefore we have had to issue this notice to ensure the repair work takes place without further delay.

We will continue to work closely with the Rose and Crown team to offer advice and we expect them to comply to avoid the need for us to take further enforcement action.

This Grade II* Listed building is very important to our town, and we expect it to be maintained in accordance with the requirements of Listed building legislation.”