Illuminated Primark sign at Five Ways Entrance Royal Victoria Place, Royal Tunbridge Wells

The site

The entrance is within the conservation area, primary shopping area and a designated character frontage.

“The site is located at the south western entrance of the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre which faces towards Mount Pleasant Road/Grosvenor Road, with the pedestrianised Calverley Road to the south east. There is an existing ‘Fenwick’ sign on this entrance, which was approved under ref: 23/03415/ADV.”

“The façade/entrance is located within the Tunbridge Wells Conservation Area (CA). It is also located within the primary shopping area, and is within an area displaying ‘character frontage’ as designated by the Local Plan.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the amended sign would not harm visual amenity, the conservation area, public safety or highway safety.

“Public and highway safety 10.05 The signage is situated away from the highway in an area predominantly used by pedestrians. Given the size, illuminance levels and siting, it is not considered to be distracting or confusing, so as to harm the highway or public safety. KCC Highways have confirmed no objections are raised subject to conditions regarding the signage not flashing, and for the maximum illuminance not to exceed the maximum permitted values for the relevant zone.”

“Conclusion 10.06 The proposal is assessed as not causing significant harm to visual amenity or the conservation area, and no concerns have been raised in relation to highway safety, or public safety more widely. Therefore, the application is considered to comply with the relevant policy tests in the adopted and submission Local Plan and the NPPF.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The Conservation Officer supported the amended scheme, and KCC Highways raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Conservation Officer: verbal 21/05/25 This scheme is an improvement from that proposed under the previous scheme. On this basis, as well as the fact that the proposal would not be a permanent change to the CA, the application can be supported.”

“KCC Highways: 06/06/25 Note that the sign has sufficient clearance from the highway and confirm that provided the requirements are secured by condition, then raise no objection.”

Officer report

Who spoke

One registered speaker attended as an objector and was identified as a local resident.

Questions and debate

Members asked about consultation with Fenwick, the sign’s location and the reason for committee consideration; there was no recorded debate.

“Matters of clarification by Officers and Committee Members’ questions to Officers included:”

“- It was not determined whether Fenwick had been consulted about the addition of Primark to the existing signage as this was not a Planning consideration. - The location of the signage was confirmed as by the clock tower entrance to Royal Victoria Place and not the Calverley Road entrance. - Officers confirmed the application had been brought to Committee as the Council were owners of the site.”

Minutes

The decision

Members voted to approve the application in line with the officer recommendation, subject to the submitted plans, conditions and informatives.

“Decision/voting – On the basis that members were satisfied that all relevant planning considerations had been covered within the report, a motion was proposed by Councillor Osborne, seconded by Councillor Johnson and a vote was taken to approve the application in line with the officer recommendation.”

“RESOLVED – That application PLA170/25 be granted subject to the plans, conditions and informatives as set out in the agenda report.”

Minutes