Council Reaffirms Strong Statutory Protections for The Pantiles & Commons

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has issued a formal public statement following the commercial announcement that Targetfollow intends to sell its Tunbridge Wells estate, including The Pantiles and Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons.

The Council explicitly reaffirmed its ongoing support for the Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons and our aspiration to bring the Commons into charitable community ownership.

Statutory Safeguards Under Acts of Parliament

In its statement, the Borough Council highlighted the robust legal, planning, and public access protections that safeguard the Commons:

• 1890 Improvement Act: The Commons are governed by the statutory Tunbridge Wells Improvement Act 1890, which permanently protects public access and prohibits enclosure or development.
• Adopted Local Plan: Strict planning designations within the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan ensure that the 256 acres of common land carry zero residential or commercial development rights.
• The Commons Conservators: Management and regulation remain under the jurisdiction of the Commons Conservators, regardless of who holds the underlying freehold.

Collaborative Oversight of The Pantiles

The Council confirmed that it will look carefully at the sale of The Pantiles and work constructively with any future owner to protect the heritage, architectural integrity, and economic vitality of this historic district.