An uncertain future for Royal Tunbridge Wells

In the centre of Tunbridge Wells are buildings which together form what may be described as the civic complex.  Battle lines are being drawn by those who wish to preserve the buildings and what goes on in them and those who would prefer the buildings to be demolished and the sites re-developed. In between, in no-mans land, are people who wish to preserve the buildings or their facades and are willing to consider new uses for the premises.

The preservation party wishes not only to preserve the buildings but also for existing services to be delivered from them. This position is untenable.

• The police station building at one time was also the magistrates court.  The court moved many years ago to Sevenoaks. The role of the police station has changed: much of the work has transferred to Tonbridge. The police function could operate from a couple of portakabins.
• The Assembly Hall is well-used, but it too is in need of a major refit. In Canterbury, the Marlowe Theatre has been demolished and a new theatre will rise from the ashes in 2011. If Canterbury can do it, so can Tunbridge Wells.
• The Town Hall is far too large and is inappropriate for current and future  needs.
• The Library and Museum building has drawbacks. Ashford is re-building its Library.
• The Adult Education Centre may well be on borrowed time as Kent County Council makes deep cuts in its budgets.

There is no reason why all the activities referred to above need to be co-located. Vacant properties abound in Tunbridge Wells  - the former Safeway store site, vacant space is available in the county court building and Union House.

What is not needed is the knee-jerk reaction of the aspic brigade intent on preserving the existing buildings housing existing activity. The Council should be drawing up with partners and stakeholders a strategy which will set out  plan which will ensure the continuation of services in appropriate premises, some or none of which may be on the land currently forming the civic complex. There is a saying: form should follow function. For the aspic brigade form is paramount.

The modernisers party for its part recognises the very fragile nature of the Royal Tunbridge Wells economy.  the alarm bells must be ringing in even the deafest of ears when the threat by a major employer to leave the town causes the Council to withdraw from a cherished policy.

Royal Victoria Place has brought economic benefit to the town and has helped mitigate the 'Bluewater effect'.  A new commercial complex in the centre of Tunbridge Wells would benefit the local economy.  It is of paramount importance that the local economy thrives and it is this which should be in the forefront of the endeavours of the Council, rather than the precious protection of current facilities propounded by the aspic brigade.

One cannot help but think that despite all the plans and policies residing in the Town hall that an opportunity to make the radical changes needed in Tunbridge Wells is slipping away from the Council. The Odeon cinema site, the Safeways site, the soon to be vacant Kent & Sussex Hospital site, Union House, the County Court site and the former DSS buildings together are the key for an ambitious programme of economic regeneration.

Let the debate commence.  Baby boomer creche or thriving town?  No brainer.............