Local, National and International
OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
SPORTING TIMES
THIS WEEK, IN RESPONSE TO READER DEMAND, WE LAUNCH OUR COVERAGE OF LOCAL SPORTING EVENTS AND RESULTS, BOTH IN PRINT AND ONLINE See pages 78 and 79
Budget chain sets its sights on converting the courthouse PREMIER INN could be moving to Tunbridge Wells after plans were submitted to convert the town’s county and family court on London Road into a 110-bedroom hotel. This would make it one of the largest establishments in Tunbridge Wells in what is already a competitive environment for hoteliers, and opposition is already mounting. Submitted on the chain’s behalf by Hobbs Parker Property Consultants, the document states the equivalent of 41 new full-time jobs could be created as a result of the development. The plans include changes to
NEW VISION How the courthouse might look before the changes
the external appearance of the building, an extension to one side, and the addition of a fifth-floor roof extension.
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk PLANS to include a £17million underground car park in the new civic complex are almost certain to be ditched as the proposals also came under fire from a former council leader. Roy Bullock, who served on the council for 16 years, and was Leader until 2010, last week suggested the Cabinet had performed ‘a massive U-turn’ on the issue and had ‘abandoned’ plans for the Calverley Grounds car park.
His intervention was described as ‘rather sad’ and ‘borne of ignorance’ by the current Leader, Cllr David Jukes. A council spokesman said ‘alternative
‘Comments are borne out of ignorance of the facts’ car parking solutions’ are being explored. Hitting out at his former colleagues, Mr Bullock suggested borough council taxpayers would be ‘delighted’ by the change of direction. He said: “I do not understand how this
project ever got past the Conservative group. To contemplate spending at least £17million, repayable over 50 years, with such a poor return that it would take 43 years to pay back – well, as one financially intelligent councillor is recorded as saying, ‘it is a folly’.” Accusing the council of hampering economic growth in the borough with ‘swingeing increases in car parking charges’ in order to raise revenue for the ‘folly’ he added: “It is a classic example of indirect taxation, and will not hit the wealthy of the borough but the low-paid office staff and
INSIDE NURSERIES THREAT Free childcare increases put pressure on schools. Page 4
Opposition The extensions will more than double the total amount of floor space in the building from 1,956 sq m currently to 4,305 sq m. Aesthetically, the building is to be ‘stripped back’ to its structural elements, with the exterior rebuilt using the existing concrete frame. Current plans will result in a steep decline in the number of parking spaces available,
LUCKY NUMBERS
Tunbridge Wells to launch its very own lottery. Page 3
Continued on page 2
War of words as multimillion pound car park scheme crashes Adam Hignett
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016
shop workers who travel from long distances and also impact on its economic viability.” Mr Bullock, who was forced to relinquish his leadership of the council following a vote of no confidence by his own Conservative colleagues, went on to question their capability to ‘exercise financial control’, and said the entire scheme should be put to a referendum. His criticism of the current administration was condemned by Cllr Jukes.
See also page 2
JUST THE TONIC
Boost for micro-distilling with sustainable gin. Page 6
WESTLIFE CLASSICS
We chat to singer Shane Filan as he heads for town. Pages 76-77