Tonbridge’s Future Is Being Decided—Will Your Voice Be Heard? Speak Up and Shape Our Town Centre!

The Tonbridge town centre development project is set to transform a key area east of the high street, including the spaces around the Angel Centre and Sainsbury’s supermarket. This ambitious project focuses on revitalising council-owned land and buildings to create a more vibrant, sustainable, and community-friendly town centre. The redevelopment plan includes the replacement of the existing Angel Centre with a new, modern, carbon-neutral facility while retaining the current centre until the new one is completed. Additionally, the proposal envisions a mix of new homes, shops, and enhanced pedestrian areas that could lead to the creation of a town square. With global design experts Mace and architects Periscope involved in developing the vision for the area, there is huge potential to honour Tonbridge’s rich history and take full advantage of its attractive riverside features.

As part of this exciting redevelopment, the council is keen to hear directly from residents and local businesses. A survey has been launched to collect community priorities and ideas to guide the masterplan for the area. This survey is not initiated by the Green Party, but by the council, and it offers a valuable opportunity for the people of Tonbridge to voice what matters most to them. Residents are encouraged to use the final question, “Any other thoughts and comments? Please provide any additional information you would like to add,” to share ideas for community events, public spaces, or any specific improvements they wish to see. Whether you want more community gardens, affordable housing projects, or dedicated spaces for local businesses, this survey is your chance to shape Tonbridge’s future.

The project has already moved forward with significant milestones. In early December, TMBC officers met with Mace and Periscope to kick off the masterplan work. Earlier in March 2024, a range of ideas were published for how to transform the area, and the council has already agreed in principle to replace the outdated Angel Centre. This redevelopment project is set to be a long-term initiative, spanning several years, which means that the community’s input now will have a lasting impact on the future of our town centre. With key objectives and main principles being decided at the start of the project, every voice matters in determining what Tonbridge becomes.

The council invites both residents and local businesses to participate in the survey running from Thursday, 30 January until noon on Sunday, 16 February 2025. Your responses will help shape the masterplan to be presented to councillors by June 2025. We urge you to take this opportunity to ensure that Tonbridge develops into a town centre that reflects the needs and aspirations of its community. If you care about our town’s future, this is your chance to make a real difference. Your feedback will directly influence decisions that could lead to improved public spaces, better community facilities, and more sustainable development throughout the town centre.

We, at the Tonbridge and Malling Green Party, support this initiative because we believe that local residents must have a say in how our town develops. Our role is to ensure that decisions are made with the community’s best interests at heart. This survey is an excellent platform for you to contribute to a vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant Tonbridge. We are committed to promoting community-led development and ensuring that every improvement project genuinely enhances the quality of life for local people.

We urge all residents and business owners in Tonbridge to take part in this survey and make your voices heard. The future of Tonbridge town centre is in your hands, and together, we can build a community that truly meets our needs and reflects our values.

Call to Action:
Get involved today—share your vision for Tonbridge by completing the survey. Your feedback will help shape a future where our town centre thrives as a hub of community, culture, and opportunity.

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