Lib Dems Win Cranbrook By-Election to Cement Control of Borough Council

Local Liberal Democrats were cheered this week by their victory by 107 votes in a council by-election for Cranbrook, Sissinghurst and Frittenden. The Lib Dems got 37% of the votes, increasing their overall majority on the recently reprieved Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. The Lib Dems now have 26 seats against a combined opposition on the …

Continue reading Lib Dems Win Cranbrook By-Election to Cement Control of Borough Council

Water Campaigners Dismay Over Approval for More Homes on Local Fields

A development of 125 homes to the south of Tunbridge Wells at Ramslye Farm has been approved by Tunbridge Wells Borough Councillors. The decision was described as "a really, really bad step" by campaigners concerned about the shortage of water in the town. A local group also argued there were multiple errors in the application …

Continue reading Water Campaigners Dismay Over Approval for More Homes on Local Fields

“Shambles” as Labour’s Local Council Changes “Paused”

Escalating costs involved in restructuring local councils in Kent could mean the changes never happen. A shock announcement last Monday 7th September by the Labour government put on "pause" plans to abolish both Kent County Council and all the existing Borough Councils - with no timetable to resume the process. Indeed, it was announced that …

Continue reading “Shambles” as Labour’s Local Council Changes “Paused”

Still Wanted! Any More News About Pennington Road?

Way back on 3rd March 2019, I published one of my most successful blogs. It was about the history of the road I live in: Pennington Road. If you missed it, do click on this link:https://southborough-news.com/2019/03/03/wanted-old-news-about-pennington-road/ I followed it up with an article about the history of Brooklands School that was once a stunning building …

Continue reading Still Wanted! Any More News About Pennington Road?

Council Decision Overturned By Government

Just hours after Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council voted against taking forward a Local Plan based on Labour's new housing targets, the council were overruled by the government. The housing minister sent a letter to council leader, ordering the local council to put the plan forward for public consultation anyway. Council leader Matt Boughton said: …

Continue reading Council Decision Overturned By Government

Kent’s Rebellion Over Mass Housebuilding

A council meeting in Tonbridge and Malling has refused to progress with a plan to build the 20,000 new homes demanded by the Labour government, but the decision was then immediately overruled by the government. The vote to pause the Local Plan was described as "irresponsible" by the Liberal Democrat group. But Conservative councillor, Sarah …

Continue reading Kent’s Rebellion Over Mass Housebuilding