“It is completely irresponsible for the Government to pursue the housing target set for the district,”
Currently, the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s local plan mandates the construction of 19,746 homes by 2042. However, South East Water has indicated that it can only supply water for a maximum of 6,318 additional homes by the same year. This stark discrepancy raises alarms about the sustainability of such ambitious housing goals.
In a recent statement, Tugendhat emphasized the dire implications of these targets, saying, “More than 13,000 new homes in Tonbridge and Malling will have no water coming out of their taps, if the government gets its way.” His comments highlight the urgent need for a reassessment of housing policies in the region.
Mandatory housing targets have surged by 34% in Tonbridge and Malling and 63% in the Sevenoaks district since the last general election, raising questions about the government’s planning and resource allocation. Tugendhat has called for immediate action, stating, “The government clearly needs to sort this out for our community now, and make changes to prevent this from happening elsewhere in the United Kingdom.”
Currently, there is a moratorium on development in Tonbridge and Malling due to these water supply issues, which have been exacerbated by a lack of infrastructure. Alison Bennett from South East Water noted, “The lack of water infrastructure is blocking our capacity to deliver more homes and is resulting in water outages such as those in West Kent.”
As discussions continue, the community remains hopeful that the government will take the necessary steps to address these pressing concerns. The implications of inaction could be profound, affecting not only the housing market but also the quality of life for residents in the area.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any forthcoming changes to the housing targets or water supply strategies. However, the urgency of the situation has prompted Tugendhat to initiate a debate in Parliament, advocating for a solution that prioritizes the needs of the community.
