An official process has opened to determine whether the scenic riverside plot River Lawn will receive permanent protection from future development through official “village green” registration.
The land in question is River Lawn, a 0.4-acre tranquil green space featuring mature trees and walking paths alongside the River Medway. Located adjacent to the Tonbridge Medical Centre, the plot is currently owned by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC), the authority that submitted the application.
Residents have until 22 July to submit their views on the proposal.
A Dramatic Policy Reversal
The application represents a significant shift in direction for the borough council, which had planned to sell the land for development several years ago.
This is not the first attempt to secure protective status for the site. In March 2018, the Barden Road Residents Association submitted a village green application. However, Kent County Council rejected that bid in early 2020 because the land had already been earmarked for potential development in local planning strategies—a “trigger event” under the Commons Act that legally blocked the residents’ application.
Six years later, the situation has changed. Because TMBC is the landowner, it can voluntarily apply for registration. This bypasses the rigorous bureaucratic process usually required of community groups, who must legally prove that residents have used the area for sports and pastimes for a minimum of 20 years. Successfully achieving village green status would safeguard this small town-centre oasis under strict national legislation.
Political Backing and Historical Roots
The initiative has gathered cross-party support within the local authority. TMBC Leader Matt Boughton noted that registering River Lawn is the logical next step following the council’s decision to scrap the sale of the land in 2021.
A formal motion to pursue this protection was initially proposed in February 2025 by Green Party Councillor Mark Hood, who represents the Judd ward on the borough council and Tonbridge on the county council. Hood highlighted that the local community has enjoyed the open space for more than a century, noting that the land was originally acquired after the First World War to establish a recreational “greensward” for the town. He described River Lawn as a significant landmark that residents want to see protected and properly maintained.
According to the legal framework presented to the council’s cabinet, village green status enforces strict statutory protections. Under the Commons Act, erecting any structure that interferes with the soil or disturbs the land is strictly prohibited unless it directly improves the public’s enjoyment of the green. Any unauthorised disturbance is classified as a public nuisance and a criminal offence.
How to Submit Your Response
Kent County Council is managing the statutory feedback process as the registration authority. Members of the public who wish to register their support or objections must submit a written statement.
Important Notice: Submissions must include your full name and postal address, and the document must be signed. Responses cannot be treated as confidential and will enter the public domain.
Statements must quote reference VGA702 and be submitted no later than Wednesday, 22 July 2026.
- By Email: commons.villagegreens@kent.gov.uk
- By Post: Commons Registration Team, PROW and Access Service, Kent County Council, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XQ
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