SP Broadway were delighted to welcome Cllr Matt Boughton, Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, as the guest speaker for our latest online Politics of Planning roundtable.
Attendees from the House Builders Federation, Barratt David Wilson Homes, Berkeley and Vistry, among others, all contributed to the discussion. Topics covered included the emerging Local Plan and the recent Regulation 18 consultation, the need for affordable housing in response to demographics, and the potential implications of upcoming local government reorganisation for the borough.
Cllr Boughton gave an in-depth overview of the planning landscape in his area, highlighting in particular the ongoing challenges posed by water supply constraints and their impact on progressing the Local Plan. He mentioned his recent correspondence with Matthew Pennycook, provided further detail on Policy SQ5, and emphasised that a solution will require coordination between South East Water and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The roundtable also explored public transport and travel infrastructure around Tonbridge and Malling, as well as anticipated reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, which were also informative for guests.
Our thanks to Cllr Boughton and guests for attending and contributing to such an interesting and engaging discussion. Visit the events page of our website to register for our upcoming events.
