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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Countess of smiles
HER ROYAL HAPPINESS Sophie, Countess of Wessex at Crossways Community
PHOTO: David Bartholomew
By Jonathan Banks RESIDENTS and staff at the Crossways Community received a royal visit last week to unveil a plaque commemorating 50 years since the charity’s work in the field of mental health began. Sophie, the Countess of Wessex was guided on a tour of the Crossways premises, which straddle Culverden Park Road in Tunbridge Wells. Her Royal Highness’s invitation to mark the anniversary was in part a
recognition of her own interest in mental health. It also took place during the same week in which Prince Harry spoke publicly about his own fragile mental health following the death of his mother, Princess Diana. The Chief Executive of Crossways, Chris Munday, escorted the Countess around Culverdale House – where residents who require supported accommodation but not round the clock care are looked after – before crossing the road to
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk OPINION is divided over an attempt to have a car park on Tunbridge Wells Common formally recognised as a car park. Sited off Major Yorks Road, it is close to The Pantiles, and the action has been described by Commons’ stakeholders as possibly ‘the thin end of the wedge’. Local traders, though, have come out in strong support of the move at a time when there is growing pressure for more parking spaces across the town. An application for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) has been submitted to the borough council by Targetfollow, the company which owns the Commons via its purchase of the Manor of Rusthall. The LDC would ensure the 170-space car park is legally acknowledged for its current use. Members of the Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rust-
hall Commons and the Committee of Freehold Tenants fear this exercise in legal formality could lead to development of the plot close to The Pantiles, or its split from the Commons. Last year, there was speculation that the site might benefit from a multi-storey car park, although this would probably not receive planning permission. An underground car park might be received more sympathetically, although this would be much more expensive.
‘The worry is it’s the first of several moves to develop the sight’ In their application, Targetfollow state: “We wish to continue the existing use of the site as a car park lawfully based on the evidence of the continuous use of the site as a car park since June 2000.” Continued usage of a site for a particular purpose for
over a decade is one of several grounds for which an LDC can be granted. Unlike a more complex application for development, it only requires the approval of a planning officer and does not go to committee stage. At present, usage of the site as a car park is tolerated, but comes with numerous restrictions stemming from the fact it is designated as common land and registered as a town green. There is no planning permission for the plot to be officially used as a car park, a situation the LDC would help resolve. However, various groups fear the motives behind the application. In a statement to the borough council, the Chairman of the Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, Clive Evans, said: “The owner is constantly seeking ways in which the public amenity that is the Commons can be developed to increase its capital value… This application must not be the thin end of the wedge
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Town is split on plan to designate Commons car park – as a car park By Adam Hignett
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