Mountfield Guardians

Community Raises Concerns Over Mountfield Court Airspace Application in TN1 Conservation Area

Residents on Grove Hill Road, Mountfield Gardens, and the surrounding area are calling on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) to reject airspace application 24/01752/FULL citing significant concerns about the proposal including its impact on and suitability for the Conservation Area, local infrastructure and housing stock. The application which seeks to construct a fourth storey to Mountfield Court has prompted objections from local residents, TWBC Parking Services and the Tunbridge Wells Civic Society.  The Planning Committee review is set for 4 December 2024, and residents are advocating for the airspace development’s rejection highlighting issues related to design compatibility, sustainability, and safety.

Misleading and Inaccurate: The proposed fourth storey, on an already elevated site, would dwarf nearby 2.5-storey Victorian homes and overlook existing bedrooms. The drawings are incomplete missing dimensions and crucial elevations, referencing misleading datums and failing to measure to the top of the building. This is obscuring the true mass and scale of the development within a Conservation Area.

Design and Heritage Compatibility: Proposed features including glazed balconies and patio doors with full height glazing jar with the Conservation Area, failing to respect and protect the quality of design for future generations. Residents have raised concerns about the accuracy of submitted drawings, including unclear dimensions and elevations, which obscure the development’s true scale and downplays the impact the development will have on the Conservation Area. The Civic Society has objected stating that the development is “overbearing in context and, with no on-site parking, would inevitably add to local congestion.”

Sustainability and Practicality: Questions have been raised about the practicality of implementing the proposed green roof and photovoltaic (PV) panels due to insufficient roof depth. This could lead to further height increases, exacerbating the impact on nearby properties. The application fails to detail access and future upkeep for the green roof or PV panels raising doubts about their sustainability.

Housing Standards and Accessibility: The accommodation proposed in the application is neither sustainable nor affordable. Two thirds of the six units are configured as one bed and are only suitable for single occupancy. All of the one-bed units are up to 30% below agreed national space standards. The remaining two are small two bed apartments. None of the proposed units meet Part M accessibility standards, limiting access for individuals with mobility challenges.

Infrastructure and Safety: The developers “car-free” label for the application is purposefully misleading and lacks enforceable measures, worsening parking shortages in an area where demand for parking consistently outstrips supply. Increased traffic would heighten risks on Grove Hill Road, which has seen two serious accidents recorded this year, one with an overturned vehicle. The Council’s Parking Services Department has itself recommended rejecting the application.

Accountability and Engagement: The applicants have failed to consult local residents and leaseholders at Mountfield Court, disregarding their input and leaving concerns unaddressed. Residents have also highlighted concerns based on experiences with Hamilton Court, a previous airspace development under the same freeholder. Despite assurances of a 12-week modular build, construction delays have left residents dealing with prolonged disruption and unfinished units over seven months later. Some of them have not even started. This has led to concerns about the management and delivery of the Mountfield Court proposal.

Resident Appeal: Residents are urging TWBC Council to prioritise sustainable and thoughtful development that aligns with the needs of the local community and the preservation of the Conservation Area.

“We support efforts to address housing needs in Tunbridge Wells, but this proposal fails to meet modern standards for sustainability, accessibility, or community benefit,” said a spokesperson for the Mountfield Guardians. “We believe the Council has an opportunity to set a precedent for responsible and respectful development within our cherished Conservation Areas.”

Residents encourage community members to attend the Planning Committee review on 4 December 2024 to voice their opposition.

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