By John Lloyd
It’s a bright weekday morning in Tonbridge and I find myself at a quiet table in Verdi Gris, looking out onto the High Street with a latte in hand. Opposite me sits one of the Councillors for Trench Ward in north Tonbridge, Adem Mehmet, sipping a lime and soda. While also TMBC Cabinet member for infrastructure and regeneration. Friendly, articulate, and full of quiet energy, he’s is able to discuss car park capacity with the same ease as he does high street aesthetics.
Adem is no stranger to the planning world. Having studied Town Planning at South Bank University and now running his own planning consultancy, he brings a professional depth to his role at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. And as our conversation unfolds, it’s clear he also brings a genuine affection for the town itself.
When asked what he likes about Tonbridge, Adem doesn’t hesitate. “It’s affordable, it feels honest,” he says, scanning the high street. “Everything you need is right here — and the train links are excellent.” He’s quick to mention his favourite places to socialise too — the Man of Kent, The Chequers, and The Foresters in South Tonbridge — all places that, in his view, reflect the town’s warm and down-to-earth character.
“Tonbridge is affordable and feels like an honest town”.
Rethinking the High Street and the River
But it’s not just pub chats and train times on Adem’s mind. He’s one of the key figures helping guide Tonbridge through its ongoing Masterplan — a broad regeneration effort that aims to shape the town’s future. His top priorities? The eastern side of the High Street, which he believes is currently dominated by underused car parks, ripe for better use. “There’s a huge opportunity there,” he says. “We have a lot of overcapacity in parking — that land could be working harder for the town.”
His second focus is health infrastructure. “A new GP surgery is badly needed,” he explains. “It’s something residents feel very strongly about — and rightly so. Reducing waiting times would be a major step forward.” And finally, he turns to the River Medway, a space he believes has untapped potential. “We need to make better use of the river. It should be a central part of how people experience the town.”
We look out down the High Street, and Adem’s passion for aesthetics comes through. He points to a building on the High Street. “That extension just doesn’t sit right. The materials don’t match the historic architecture. If you’re going to build something in a prominent spot, it should respect what’s around it.” It’s a sentiment he returns to several times during our chat — that planning isn’t just about logistics, but about beauty, proportion, and character.
“If you’re going to build something in a prominent spot, it should respect what’s around it.”
He’s candid too about developments that are ongoing. He glances over at the former HSBC building across the road. “There was a plan to put flats on the ground floor, but the council turned it down — mainly due to flood risk, but also because it’s important to preserve retail space. Ground-floor homes aren’t always the right choice in the heart of a town.”
The conversation returns to the river, and I ask what’s being done to improve access. He mentions new lighting near Cannon Lane — a small but meaningful step, intended to help connect the riverfront to the shopping areas. When I float the idea of jetties for paddleboarders and canoeists, he’s supportive but realistic. “I’d back it, absolutely — but it depends on landowners and the Environment Agency. The same goes for the idea of a paddleboarding club. It’s a great idea, but there are practicalities to work through.”
Listening First: Town Squares, Housing and Community Voice
Back on dry land, we discuss the idea of a town square — something many Tonbridge residents have dreamt of. Adem listens, as always, before responding. “It’s a question of where it would go. Near the Angel Centre could work — especially if it ties in with the river park proposals in the Masterplan. But we’ll be guided by what people say in the consultation. It’s their town, not just mine.”
There’s a steadiness in the way Adem approaches his work. He’s not someone pushing a singular vision, but rather someone who seems to value process, listening, and dialogue. That same tone carries through when we talk about housing. Several major permissions have been granted in recent years — including the Gasworks site and the car park next to Hillsong Church — but construction has yet to begin. “It’s about viability,” he explains. “Developers are waiting for the right moment — whether that’s to do with costs or interest rates. Unfortunately, we have no power to force them to start.”
He acknowledges some of the public frustration around the number of flats being built, but offers a thoughtful counterpoint. “Flats bring people to the centre of town — they keep the High Street alive. That vibrancy matters. We need a mix of housing, and flats do have a role to play.”
Tough Decisions and Future Thinking
Transport, inevitably, comes up next — and with it, the complexities of a medieval town. “Would it be good to pedestrianise the High Street? Of course. But how do you redirect traffic? And the cost — it’s astronomical.” He laments the narrow roads that make cycle lanes difficult to implement but adds that small steps, like the new electric vehicle charging points, are important signs of progress.
We move on to more contentious ground — the recent changes to public speaking rules at TMBC planning meetings. Some have called it undemocratic. Adem disagrees. “It’s about time management,” he says. “If 24 people say the same thing, it doesn’t add strength to the argument — it just eats into the meeting. Quality matters more than quantity — especially when decisions are grounded in planning law.” He also points out that many other boroughs already operate under similar systems.
As we begin to wrap up, I ask the big question: if he had unlimited funding, what would he do? Without missing a beat, he says, “Fix the road network, build the GP surgery, and improve river access.” Practical answers, but ambitious too — fitting for a man trying to steer a town forward with both feet on the ground.
Before we wrap up, I ask Adem what he’s currently reading, watching or listening to. He smiles and admits, “I’m a science fiction fan.” As a busy family man, he doesn’t always get much downtime. “And I’ll admit,” he laughs, “there’s a bit of Love Island in there too.” It’s a refreshingly human note to end on.
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