Southborough and High Brooms Information Statement

About this statement

A referendum on the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Development Plan will be held on Thursday 18 June 2026. This statement provides information on the referendum that is taking place, and the neighbourhood plan it relates to.

About this referendum

Referendum on the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Development Plan

A referendum asks you to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a question. For this referendum you will receive a ballot paper which asks the following question:

Neighbourhood area

What is a neighbourhood area?

The neighbourhood area for Southborough and High Brooms is identified on the map which is  included at the end of this information statement.

The referendum area is identical to the area which has been designated as the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Area.

The Neighbourhood Area is the area of Southborough and High Brooms parish.

Entitlement to vote

Am I entitled to vote in the Referendum?

A person is entitled to vote in the referendum if on the 2 June 2026:

• he or she is entitled to vote in a local government election in the referendum area; and
• his or her qualifying address for the election is in the referendum area. A person’s qualifying address is, in relation to a person registered in the register of electors, the address in respect of which he or she is entitled to be registered.

The referendum will be conducted based in accordance with procedures similar to those used at local government elections.

How to vote

How do I vote in the Referendum?

You vote by putting a cross (x) in the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ box on your ballot paper. Put a cross in only one box or your vote will not be counted.

If more than 50% of individuals vote ‘yes’ in the referendum, then Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will ‘make’ the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Development Plan. If the Neighbourhood Plan is ‘made’ it will help determine planning applications in the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Area. It will also form part of the statutory development plan for Tunbridge Wells borough.

If more people vote ‘no’ than ‘yes’ then the Neighbourhood Plan will not be made part of the statutory development plan for the local area.

Referendum documents

What are the referendum documents and where can you view them?

There are a number of documents that are available to view as part of the referendum. Click on a document title below to view it.

From the week commencing 25th May, a paper copy of the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Version can be viewed at:

• Southborough Library, 137 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0ND, you can view their opening times on the Southborough Library website.
• St. Matthew’s Church Office, High Brooms Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9BW from Monday to Friday (excl. Wednesday ) 9am to 3pm.

A paper copy will also be on deposit at the Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS. Please email neighbourhoodplans@tunbridgewells.gov.uk to arrange an appointment.

Referendum Expenses

Expenses can be incurred by an individual or body during the period of the referendum for referendum purposes.

A maximum of £2,362 plus £0.059 for each entry in the relevant register of electors may be spent by campaign organisers in connection with a referendum campaign.

The referendum expenses limit that will apply (as at 8 May 2026) in relation to this referendum is £ 3,002.21. The number of persons entitled to vote in the referendum is 8959.

How to find out more

Further general information on neighbourhood planning is available on the council’s website.

For queries regarding planning issues and neighbourhood planning in general, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01892 554056 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or by email to planning.policy@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Neighbourhood Plan area map