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Tudeley Village masterplanning charrette postponed

Published 10th March 2020

Owing to the evolving Coronavirus situation, a week-long series of masterplanning workshops for a new community east of Tudeley in Kent has been postponed until later this year.

The “charrette” process, organised by the Hadlow Estate and led by the world renowned architect and town planner Andres Duany, was to have included three public meetings and five themed workshops at venues in Tunbridge Wells from Saturday 14th March 2020.

Mr Duany and his team from DPZ are based in Florida where Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency linked to the spread of COVID-19. Mr Duany said: “We very much regret being unable to proceed with the Tudeley village charrette next week but the very nature of an inclusive community masterplanning process requires public meetings and people to work closely together to shape ideas and designs.”

He added: “In light of the evolving situation with the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, the USA and Europe, and having carefully considered current advice, it has been decided that the events should be re-scheduled. The updated programme for the charrette events will be shared with the community and stakeholders in due course.”

Land at Tudeley, between Tonbridge and Paddock Wood, is owned and managed by the Hadlow Estate and was identified in the draft Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Local Plan as a potential site for a new village of up to 2,800 homes, alongside public open space, employment and other facilities. The Hadlow Estate’s vision is to design a sustainable, walkable and beautiful, mixed-use community which will make a positive social, environmental and economic contribution to the area.

Harry Teacher of the Hadlow Estate said: “We are very disappointed to have to postpone these events, particularly as so many people had made time in their busy diaries to participate. We would like to thank everyone for their understanding and look forward to rescheduling the events as soon as we can.”