The TDRA are supportive in principle of the recent development proposal for a new care home near Westwell Court by Cognatum, particularly considering the offer of a significant area of greenfield land to the community which could form a protected green lung as Tenterden grows.
This development however does highlight a concern that the TDRA has over the growing number of additional development sites being considered and permitted over and above Ashford Borough Council’s Local Plan and raises the issue yet again over the lack of a Neighbourhood Plan for Tenterden. The town needs this powerful document to support the local residents in maintaining a sustainable managed growth for the foreseeable future.
The TDRA are pushing the Tenterden Council to undertake a Neighbourhood Plan for the whole Parish of Tenterden, in order to develop a community led local development plan that can both coordinate and manage an acceptable level of development (both commercial and residential) whilst protecting key green areas critical to a growing town.
The following nearby towns have already completed theirs – Wye, Rolvenden, Bethersden, Boughton Aluph and Eastwell, Pluckley, Hothfield and Charing, with several others including Headcorn due for completion soon – WHY DOES TENTERDEN NOT HAVE A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN? This needs to be actioned now, the TDRA will be campaigning for this on behalf of local residents.