One of the key benefits of having a Town Council is that it is able to consider planning applications before they are decided upon by the borough council’s planning committee.
Currently 14 members of the Area One Planning Committee (12 from Tonbridge, 2 from Hildenborough) consider applications which are called in to be heard at the committee by councillors. They are not able to discuss the applications before the meeting because of rules around predetermination.
Most town councils have their own planning committees which consider the merits or otherwise of the proposals and then submit formal responses to the borough council as appropriate.
Many town/parish councils prepare very detailed responses which clearly set out their thinking and enable the planning committees to hear a well prepared and considered view alongside the other evidence and planning officers recommendation.
The comments submitted in the past by Hildenborough Parish Council have been very clear and well prepared and have assisted borough councillors in understanding residents concerns, unfortunately there hasn’t been a similar body to do so for Tonbridge residents.
A representative from the town council can speak at the relevant planning committee in the same way as others who have submitted comments.
It is true that a town council does not have the power to approve or refuse planning applications but it does provide an additional voice for our town on such matters.