Tonbridge Bean

The regeneration of Tonbridge town centre has entered a new phase this week, as Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) officially opened its public consultation survey — and now’s your chance to get involved.

Running until 31 August 2025, the consultation invites residents to share their views on the future of the area east of the High Street, with proposals for a new leisure centre, housing, public spaces, a GP surgery, and more.

You can take the survey online here: 👉 https://orlo.uk/zEpxt

What’s in the Plan?

As outlined in our recent article — Tonbridge’s ‘Masterplan’ Unveiled — But Is It Really the Vision the Town Needs? — the proposals aim to bring phased change to the town, focused on council-owned land. Key ideas include:

• 🏊 A new leisure centre at Sovereign Way Mid
• 🏠 Flood-resilient housing at Sovereign Way North
• 🏥 A new GP surgery at Sovereign Way East
• 🏨 A potential hotel or residential site at Vale Road
• 🌳 Improved public spaces and a new riverside park
• 🏢 Redevelopment of the Angel Centre site
• 🚗 Retention of key car parks, including Angel West

The council has been clear that feedback gathered over the next six weeks will inform the final shape of the Masterplan, which is due for adoption this autumn.

Public Reaction: Early Responses Mixed

Only a few days into the consultation period, early comments on social media reveal a mix of reactions — some supportive, others raising thoughtful concerns about the structure of the survey itself.

Some residents have noted that certain questions limit the range of response options. For example:

• Question 6 asks respondents to choose between residential development or a GP surgery on part of Sovereign Way East car park.
• Question 8 offers a choice between housing or a hotel on the Vale Road car park site.

One local resident commented: “This is the most poorly written survey I have ever seen,” while another said: “The options are heavily weighted towards proposals — not a good starting point.”

A few people have suggested that the survey might benefit from more neutral options — such as the ability to oppose development entirely at certain sites. As one person wrote: “Questions 6 and 8 need an alternate answer of being left as car parks. Without this, the survey can’t be completed and is invalid.”

Another added: “Wow… yet another really one-sided survey.”

However, not all feedback has been critical. One resident noted that later questions in the survey are more balanced and helpful:

• Question 11, for example, asks for views on a proposed riverside park, with options ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree.
• Question 12 offers a more holistic prompt: “Taken overall, do you agree that the regeneration proposals… will be good for Tonbridge?”

Some have also questioned whether this survey alone can fulfil the Council’s promise of “meaningful consultation,” while others are reserving judgment until more information — including plans for the leisure centre — is available in August.

Why It Still Matters

TMBC has emphasised that the proposals are not set in stone, and that the survey is just one part of the wider consultation process. They’ve also said they are open to adapting the plans based on feedback and financial realities.

That makes this moment a genuinely important one. Whether you’re excited about the new leisure centre, concerned about car parking, or simply unsure what the future should look like — this is your opportunity to be heard.

We’ll be watching closely as consultation progresses — and will share more updates, particularly when the second leisure centre survey launches next month.

In the Meantime, Have Your Say

📝 Complete the survey by 31 August 2025: https://orlo.uk/zEpxt

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