Kings Hill Town Council

14/09/2026

BROADWATER FARM – NEW DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FROM BERKELEY GROUP

Plans are progressing for Broadwater Farm, with proposals for a new neighbourhood designed to provide housing, education, green space and improved infrastructure.

The emerging proposals include:

New homes, including affordable housing
New and improved green spaces and woodland
New education facilities
Improved walking and cycling connections
New and improved roads and transport links
New parks, play areas and public spaces
Improvements around existing water features
A new neighbourhood centre and community facilities

The proposals have been informed by technical assessments and feedback from previous planning consultations.

📍 The proposals cover land around Broadwater Road, Kings Hill Avenue, Wateringbury Road, Tower View and the wider West Malling/Kings Hill area.

Residents and local communities are encouraged to get involved, review the proposals and share their feedback as the plans continue to develop.

Berkeley Group is having a public engagement event about their proposals for Broadwater Farm:

Saturday 26 September 14:00-17:00
Kings Hill Community Centre, ME19 4LG

Residents are encouraged to attend at any time during the session.

📣 Your views can help shape the future of the area.

14/09/2026

Liberty Square: An Update for Residents from Kings Hill Town Council

Kings Hill Town Council recognises that there has been significant discussion, interest and debate regarding the potential acquisition of Liberty Square. We understand that many residents have questions and would like more information.

The most important message is this:

No decision has been made.

The Council has not agreed to purchase Liberty Square, has not approved any borrowing arrangements and has not committed to proceeding with the proposal. Any future decision will only be made after extensive due diligence, consideration of all available evidence and careful assessment of residents' views.
Many residents have asked why more information has not been published. While we are committed to being as transparent as possible, there are legal restrictions on information that can be released during the due diligence process. This work involves reviewing sensitive commercial, financial and confidential information that is not currently in the public domain. Releasing such information prematurely could compromise the process and the Council's legal obligations.
We appreciate that this can be frustrating, particularly given the level of discussion on social media. However, the Council must ensure that it acts responsibly, lawfully and in the best interests of residents while this work is ongoing.
We would also like to reassure residents that the Chairman of the Council will take no part in any decision-making process relating to the proposal and will not participate in discussions or voting where a conflict of interest exists. The Council's governance procedures will be followed at all times to ensure decisions are made properly, transparently and in accordance with the law.
The Council is committed to making any future decision on the basis of evidence, professional advice, financial responsibility and the views of the community. Resident feedback forms an important part of that process and will be considered alongside legal, financial, commercial and operational assessments.
We ask that discussions remain respectful and constructive as this work continues. We welcome questions, feedback and differing opinions, and we remain committed to listening to residents before any decisions are taken.

There will be a Council meeting tonight at 18:30 at Kings Hill Community Centre, 70 Gibson Drive, ME19 4LG.
The Liberty Square proposal is on the agenda, and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Thank you for engaging with this important conversation about the future of Kings Hill.

14/09/2026

See below for the latest news from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council:

https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/news

Including:

A consultation has launched for Tonbridge and Malling’s Draft Local Plan, known as Regulation 19, following a legal direction from the Government to proceed with the plan-making process.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Leader makes case to Secretary of State setting out why Reg 19 Local Plan intervention is unnecessary.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council will review the next steps for its draft Local Plan after Full Council decided on 3 September 2026 to pause its progress for a Regulation 19 consultation.

Hundreds of young people across Tonbridge and Malling could benefit from a free skills and employment programme to help them gain confidence, discover career opportunities and build a brighter future.

Residents of the borough are invited to bring a friend for free when they visit Tonbridge Castle this September as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the attraction and what is has to offer.

The final draft of Tonbridge and Malling’s Local Plan has been published today ahead of the meeting of Full Council on Thursday 3 September 2026.

And lots more -

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Website

14/09/2026

📢 HAVE YOUR SAY: TONBRIDGE & MALLING LOCAL PLAN 2024–2042

Statement of Representations Procedure and Availability of Documents

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has published its Regulation 19 Publication Local Plan, setting out proposals and planning policies for the borough through to 2042.

🗓️ Consultation is open from 11 September until 11:59pm on 25 October 2026.

This is an important opportunity to have your say on the future development of Tonbridge & Malling, including:
🏘️ Housing and development needs
📍 Site allocations
🌳 Spatial development strategy
🏗️ Planning and development policies
🗺️ The Policies Map

What can you comment on?
At this stage, comments should focus on whether the Plan is legally compliant and whether it is sound - meaning it is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national planning policy.

You can also request to participate in public hearing sessions during the independent examination by a Planning Inspector.

💻 Have your say online:
https://reg19tmbcconsult.commonplace.is/

The website includes the Local Plan, Policies Map, Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Health & Equalities Impact Assessment and supporting evidence.

📚 Hard copies are also available at Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council offices in Kings Hill and Tonbridge Castle, and at libraries across the borough.

Need an alternative format or assistance?
📧 [email protected]

⚠️ Important: Comments received after the deadline will be marked as late and may not be accepted by the Planning Inspector.

Following consultation, the Council is expected to submit the Plan and representations to the Secretary of State by the end of December 2026. An independent examination is expected to take place through much of 2027.

👉 Make sure your views are heard before 25 October.

This is the default template.

14/09/2026

🚨 KENT CONSUMER ALERT | 11 SEPTEMBER 2026 🚨

Please share with friends, family and neighbours, especially anyone vulnerable to scams.

📞 BANK & POLICE IMPERSONATION SCAMS

Scammers are calling Kent residents pretending to be from banks, fraud departments or police. They may claim your account is compromised, your card needs replacing, or a family member has been arrested.

They may ask you to transfer money, buy gold, hand over your card/cash/valuables or withdraw money for “safekeeping”.

❌ These are scams. Your bank or police will never ask you to do these things.

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up. Ensure the line is disconnected, then contact your bank directly using 159. Never use a number given by the caller.

🏠 DOORSTEP SCAMS

Cold callers have been active in Thanet, Dartford, Cranbrook, Ramsgate and Ashford, claiming to spot roofing problems and offering “free” inspections before pressuring residents into costly work.

🚫 Don’t engage with cold callers. Legitimate traders don’t turn up uninvited.

Report suspicious activity to Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111. If someone refuses to leave or becomes aggressive, call 999.

📱 FAKE MOBILE TOP-UP WEBSITES

Scammers are using websites that look like genuine mobile providers. Always check the website address before entering payment details and regularly check your bank statements for unexpected payments.

⚠️ PRODUCT RECALLS

🫒 Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives (120g) — affected use-by dates: 13, 18 & 27 Sept 2026. Do not eat. Return for a refund.

🐶 Primark Disney 101 Dalmatians Zip Purse — product code 991174725. Stop using and return for a refund.

🔥 Love to Dream Sleep Machine LTD-SM23 — affected codes 7T12TN, 7W15TN & 8P01TN. Stop using immediately due to fire risk.

🤝 FRIENDSHIP MONTH

September is Friendship Month. Find local activities and support through the Positive Wellbeing Service.

🛠️ Need work done? Use KCC Trading Standards Checked to find a safe local trader.

📞 Citizens Advice: 0808 223 1133
📞 Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

11/09/2026

💙 Support care-experienced children and young people

We’re sharing the following information for community awareness only.

A national petition is calling for a statutory right to trauma-informed mental health support for care-experienced children and young adults up to the age of 25.

The campaign has been led by individuals with lived experience of the care system and aims to improve access to trauma-informed mental health support for care-experienced young people.

The petition currently has more than 8,000 signatures and is seeking to reach 10,000 signatures by 1 October 2026. If it reaches 10,000 signatures, it will qualify for a formal Government response.

Petition link:https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/762405

We’re sharing this information to ensure local residents are aware of the petition and the issues it raises.

11/09/2026

📢 LOCAL PLAN CONSULTATION – HAVE YOUR SAY
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s Regulation 19 consultation on the Emerging Local Plan is now underway, following Government intervention requiring the Council to progress the plan and submit it for examination by the end of the year.
The Local Plan could have significant implications for Kings Hill and communities across the borough.
Public meeting:
📅 Saturday 19 September 19:00
📍 Mary Ellis Hall, Kings Hill Community Centre, ME19 4LG
This public meeting is an opportunity for residents to:
• Find out what is being proposed
• Understand how the Regulation 19 consultation works
• Hear more about the issues and concerns surrounding the plan
• Share your views and concerns
⚠️ Please note: This event is not organised by Kings Hill Town Council, and the Emerging Local Plan is not a Town Council proposal.
However, given the importance of the Local Plan to Kings Hill, the Town Council is encouraging residents to attend and take part.
The Town Council is also keen to hear your views and concerns, which will help inform its own response to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s consultation.
Visit https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/local-plan for more information.
👉 Please come along, find out more and have your say.

10/09/2026

🏃‍♀️ West Malling mum Claire Stone will be celebrating her 50th birthday with an extraordinary challenge.

Just four days later, on October 9, she will begin a continuous 160-mile run along the Kent coast, from Hastings to Gravesend.

She's doing the challenge in memory of a friend who died by su***de, and hopes to raise £5,000 for ANDYSMANCLUB, which provides free peer-to-peer support for men across the UK.

💙 Support Claire’s fundraising here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/claire-stone-10

10/09/2026

🎄✨ MAN! I FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS! ✨🎄
Get ready for a fantastic festive evening of music, dancing and fun at our new Mary Ellis Hall!
Join us on Friday 18th December for Man! I Feel Like Christmas - a fantastic Shania Twain tribute featuring Sarah, bringing all your favourite Shania hits to life! 🎤🎶Also featuring a live DJ!
🍸 £15 per ticket
🥂 Welcome drink included
🍴 Buffet food included
📍 Mary Ellis Bar, Mary Ellis Hall, Kings Hill Community Centre ME19 4LG
🕖 Doors open 7pm – midnight

Click here to book: https://zfrmz.eu/X960iqStuZ10Gl7IObJM

09/09/2026