Tonbridge News
The latest Tonbridge news: planning decisions, council and crime updates, business and community stories, each linked back to its official source.
Top story
Tonbridge Flood Scheme Opens: 1,870 Homes Better Protected
The £42m Leigh flood scheme is finished: 23% more water held back, cutting flood risk for 1,870 homes and 575 businesses in Tonbridge and Hildenborough.
More stories
High Street
Rose and Crown Tonbridge: 7 Days to Make Portico Safe
The council has given the Rose and Crown's owners seven working days to make its High Street portico and some beams safe after rainwater damage. What comes next.
Planning
Tonbridge and Malling Planning: 385 Homes Passed, 8 Refused
Eccles, Aylesford and East Malling schemes approved; Kings Hill's 65 homes deferred over ancient woodland; West Malling's self-build plots refused.
Schools
Tonbridge and Malling Ofsted: How the First 6 Schools Graded
Ightham Primary is Strong in all seven areas, which only 8% of primaries manage. Sussex Road is close behind; Eccles has four areas that need attention.
Tonbridge
Tonbridge Riverside Path Lights: Work Starts in November
Lights go up on the dark riverside path from Town Lock to Vale Road and Cannon Lane from November, a year late. The council hopes to finish by Christmas.
Planning
Tonbridge Planning This Week: Royal Mail Solar Roof, 5 Homes
49 new applications across Tonbridge and Malling: 1,530 solar panels on the Tonbridge sorting office, five homes at Addington and a 10m mast in Aylesford.
Council
Tonbridge Council This Week: Angel Centre's £19.4m Bill
The auditor says councillors lack a funding plan for the £19.4m Angel Centre rebuild. Audit Committee accepted all three fixes on 28 September; Cabinet takes it on 6 October.
Planning
East Malling 35 Homes: Planning Vote Now Thursday 24 Sept
Paris Farm's 35 homes and eight self-build plots at West Malling go to councillors on Thursday 24 September, after the committee ran out of time on 16 September.
Travel
Tonbridge Trains: No Wadhurst Line for Nine Days From 24 Oct
No trains between Tonbridge and Wadhurst from 24 October to 1 November, over half-term. Priory Road also shuts at the rail bridge on the same nine days.
Jobs
Tonbridge and Malling Claimant Count Hits 2,095 in August
The borough's highest monthly total in at least two years. Every extra claimant since 2024 is under 25 or over 50, and the 25 to 49 band has shrunk.
Housing
Tonbridge and Malling House Prices Reach £407,880 in July
The average home gained £5,607 in a year, but a flat lost £3,434. Semis rose fastest, and the borough is still £13,107 below its December 2022 peak.
Planning
Tonbridge Local Plan Consultation: Comment by 25 October
Comment on 20,106 new homes until 11.59pm on 25 October. The council's leader is asking the minister to drop it: the water firm forecasts 317 homes a year.
Planning
Tonbridge and Malling Planning Committee: 458 Homes
All five housing schemes at Wednesday's Planning Committee are recommended for approval: 300 homes at Eccles, 65 at Kings Hill, 35 at East Malling.
Roadworks
Lodge Oak Lane Gas Works: Tonbridge Streets Shut 141 Days
Up to 141 days of gas main work is planned around Lodge Oak Lane, Tudeley Lane and Kings Road from 28 September, closing six Tonbridge streets.
Planning
Tonbridge and Malling Local Plan: Minister Overrules Vote
Councillors refused the plan over water supply on Thursday. The minister has directed the council to consult on it anyway, opening by 11 September.
Council Tax
Tonbridge Council Tax Support to Ignore Disability Benefit
Tonbridge and Malling wants to stop counting a disability benefit as income when it works out council tax support. Have your say by 11 October.
Food Hygiene
Every Tonbridge and Malling Hygiene Rating in August Was a 5
All 22 food businesses given a hygiene rating in the borough in August scored the top mark. In July, 14 of 42 did not. The full list and what the scores mean.
Planning
Tonbridge and Malling Local Plan Vote: 20,106 Homes
Councillors vote on Thursday on a plan for 20,106 homes by 2042. The water company told them it could not supply growth beyond its own 2024 forecast.
Tonbridge Castle
Tonbridge Castle: Bring a Friend Free All September
Borough residents get the cheaper ticket free at Tonbridge Castle all month. Adult entry is £10.90, and you have to book in person with proof of address.
Planning
Nizels Golf Club Plans Outdoor Pool and Sauna in Green Belt
Nizels Golf and Country Club wants a 10-metre outdoor pool, hydropool, plunge pool and sauna beside a Grade II listed cottage. Comments close on 12 September.
Tonbridge
£179,000 Buys Tonbridge Mini Golf, Pickleball and New Courts
Almost £179,000 has been spent at Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground, nearly 64% of it developer money. Here is what is new and how to book it.
Planning
East Malling 1,300 Homes: Government Takes Over Decision
The 1,300-home scheme west of Hermitage Lane is now the Housing Secretary's call, three weeks after councillors were minded to refuse it.
Jobs
Tonbridge and Malling Claimant Count: Under-25s Up 72%
465 people aged 18 to 24 claimed in the borough in July, against 270 two years ago: the steepest rise of any Kent district, and double the next one.
Council
West Kent Council: Tonbridge and Malling abolished in 2028
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council goes on 1 April 2028, replaced by an 84-seat West Kent Council. Councils' final representations close today, 17 August.
Planning
New Angel Centre Tonbridge: 147 objections, 20 October vote
The £20m Angel Centre replacement was approved despite 147 objections. It is 1,099 sq m smaller, loses 112 parking spaces and faces a final vote on 20 October.
Aylesford
Blue Bell Hill modular homes arrive on site in September
Work has started on 12 council flats at the old Blue Bell Hill car park. The units are built in Peterborough, assembled in September and let from spring 2027.