Good morning. Another busy week in TW.

The council wants more homes. A lot more. Under new government targets, Tunbridge Wells must build 1,098 homes a year; up from 678. They are now asking residents and developers to suggest sites. You have until August to have your say.

In sadder news, The Pig Hotels has pulled out of Groombridge Place. The luxury brand had big plans for the Grade I-listed estate. Now it has sold up and moved on.

This week, Unfest takes over town. The Blockheads play Friday. Free daytime music runs all weekend. Go enjoy it.

WEATHER

Monday: 9°C 🌡️ 19°C | 🌧️

Tuesday: 8°C 🌡️ 17°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 5°C 🌡️ 14°C | 🌧️

THE BRIEF

🏗️ Many More Houses: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has opened a public call for potential development sites as part of its new Local Plan review. The exercise runs from 11th May to 3rd August. Landowners, developers, businesses and residents can submit sites they believe are suitable for new homes, jobs or other uses up to 2044. The review follows the council's adoption of its Local Plan in December 2025, which committed to starting the process within six months.

The borough faces a significantly higher housing target under the government's revised methodology; around 1,098 new homes per year, up from 678. A formal notice of intention and a new timetable will be published by the end of June. An early public scoping consultation is also planned for the summer. Read more here.​

🪦 Cemetery For Sale: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is set to sell a cemetery site it says it no longer needs, more than 100 years after it first came into public ownership. The move is part of a wider review of council-owned assets. The site has been identified as surplus to requirements. No buyer has yet been named. The council manages the Kent and Sussex Crematorium and Cemetery at Benhall Mill Road, which will continue to operate. The decision to sell the surplus land will require further approval before it can proceed. Read more here.​

💚 HVO Fuel Switch: Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling councils have signed a new waste contract. It goes to FCC Environment, who already run the service. The deal lasts 12 years from April 2027. Collections will not change when it starts. Services already meet the government's Simpler Recycling rules. The main change is the switch to HVO fuel. This burns cleaner than diesel. The councils have cut carbon emissions by 21% since 2018–19. FCC won the contract on price and quality. Read more here.​

🐷 No Pig Plans: The Pig Hotels has abandoned plans to open a new venue at Groombridge Place, near Tunbridge Wells. The luxury hotel brand bought the Grade I-listed estate in 2023. It planned to turn it into its tenth hotel, with 56 bedrooms, a spa, a vineyard restaurant and pool. The project was valued at more than £20 million.

Chief executive Kevin Styles said the company had accepted a private offer for the site. He said investment priorities had shifted since they first took it on. He added that the new buyer has a "deep appreciation" for the estate and plans to invest in it sensitively.

The estate has more than 100 acres of land. Manor houses have stood on the site since the 13th century. The current building dates to 1662. It was used as a filming location for the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Planning applications were submitted to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in 2024. The Pig Hotels says it will now look for new sites across the UK. Read more here.​

Election Coverage: Check out Martin Webber's interviews with local politicians, discussing the recent results:

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TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

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ADVERTISE ON THE BOARD

THIS WEEK

Ganser | The Sussex Arms | Mon 18 May, 7:00pm | Chicago art-rock post-punk with dark playfulness | See details​

19th May 1536 – Rare Manuscript Display | Hever Castle | Tue 19 May, 11:30am | Anne Boleyn's handwriting on display, one day only | From £25.50

A Certain Ratio | The Forum | Wed 20 May, 7:00pm | Pioneering Manchester post-punk funk, anniversary show | See details​

The Music of Coldplay By Candlelight | Assembly Hall | Wed 20 May, 7:30pm | Coldplay's greatest hits performed live by candlelight | From £27.25

Unfest: Dodgy | The Forum | Thu 21 May, 7:00pm | Britpop legends play Homegrown 25th anniversary in full | See details​

The Counterfeit Stones | Assembly Hall | Thu 21 May, 7:30pm | Rolling Stones tribute packed with mock rock and humour | From £33.00

Taylormania | Assembly Hall | Fri 22 May, 7:30pm | Award-winning Taylor Swift Eras tribute show | From £31.25

Unfest: The Blockheads – 50th Anniversary Show | The Forum | Fri 22 May, 7:30pm | Ian Dury's iconic band celebrate half a century | See details​

UNFEST: screensaver | The Sussex Arms | Fri 22 May, 8:00pm | Live Unfest music in the basement venue | Free entry

UNFEST: Daytime Festival | The Forum | Sat 23 May & Sun 24 May, 1:00pm | Free daytime live music across the weekend | Free entry

UNFEST: The Moonlandingz | The Forum | Sat 23 May, 5:30pm | Cosmic art-rock from Fat White Family side project | See details​

Miss Demeanours Drag Bingo | Assembly Hall | Sat 23 May, 7:30pm | Glittery drag bingo night with comedy and prizes | From £28.00

UNFEST: Forum Basement | The Sussex Arms | Sat 23 May & Sun 24 May, 7:30pm | Late-night basement stage with live acts | Free entry

A Bunch of Amateurs | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat 23 May, 7:00pm | Warm documentary about the world's oldest film club | See details​

UNFEST: Willy Mason | The Forum | Sun 24 May, 5:30pm | American folk-rock singer-songwriter closes Sunday | See details​

Table Tennis | Sunnyside Hall | Mon & Sun | Play table tennis every week (1st session is free) | £4​

Badminton & Pickleball | Sunnyside Hall | Fri, 6pm | Play badminton & pickleball every week (1st session is free) | £5​

FURTHER OUT

Bewl Water Triathlon | Bewl Water | Sun 24 May, See details | Swim, cycle and run at a scenic Kent reservoir | See details​

TWODS: Evita | Assembly Hall | Tue 26 May – Sat 30 May, 7:30pm | Local amateur society stages Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita | See details​

Hever Castle: Cars at the Castle | Hever Castle | Sat 13 Jun – Sun 14 Jun, 11:30am | Classic and supercars displayed in stunning castle grounds | From £25.50

Sara Pascoe + Friends – Live Next to the Apollo | Assembly Hall | Sat 13 Jun, 7:30pm | Sara Pascoe headlining a top-class comedy night | See details​

Bewl Water Swimrun | Bewl Water | Sun 7 Jun, See details | Trail running and open-water swimming through the High Weald | See details​

SPORT

Results

🏏 16 May Tunbridge Wells vs. Hayes, TW won by 6 wickets.

Fixtures

🏏 24 May Bexley vs. Tunbridge Wells

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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