Welfare accommodation and storage at Crematorium Lodge, Royal Tunbridge Wells

What was proposed

The proposal would convert the lodge for Parks team welfare accommodation, demolish a garage and build a storage building.

“The proposals are for the conversion of the building for welfare accommodation for the Parks team, including minor alterations, demolition of garage and construction of a storage building.”

Officer report

The site

The site is outside the built-up limits, within crematorium grounds, and contains an unoccupied three-bedroom lodge, garage, parking and trees.

“The site is lies outside the Limits to Built Development and is located adjacent to an established residential area and forms part of the Tunbridge Wells crematorium grounds. The site is occupied by the Crematorium Lodge, a 3-bed dwellinghouse, currently unoccupied. Attached to the Lodge but not forming part of the application site, are the Crematorium offices which are contained within a modern structure attached to the north side of the Lodge.”

“To the immediate south of the garden fence are three parking spaces (within a larger parking area) which are proposed to be redesignated as depot staff parking. The land either side of the parking area and driveway is laid to lawn and there are existing trees at various points.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the location, design, storage building, landscaping, highways effects and biodiversity acceptable, with the loss of one dwelling having negligible housing impact.

“The proposal would see the re-purposing of a dwelling and its curtilage to provide welfare facilities and vehicle/plant storage and facilities for staff in association with the operation of the crematorium and its grounds. The proposed use is considered to be appropriate and the siting/layout of the storage outbuilding acceptable. The loss of the existing dwelling would have a negligible impact on the borough’s housing stock.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

No public comments were received; highways, environmental protection and trees raised no objections, while ecology sought biodiversity conditions.

“KCC Ecology (23.10.25) 6.06 The BNG assessment shows a net loss of 0.87 habitat units (- 65%), which primarily comes from the removal of trees across the site. All hedgerows are offsite and have not been included within the metric. A total of 1.01 habitat units will need to be obtained to achieve a 10% net gain. If off-site habitat creation is required, we direct the applicant towards the Kent Biodiversity Net Gain Site Register.”

“Tree Officer (14.11.25) 6.10 No objection. Conditions suggested to ensure tree protection during construction, details of pile foundations and the protection of trees to be retained.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No speakers registered, and the application was summarised with a visual presentation by the senior planning officer.

Questions and debate

Members clarified that the building was vacant, and there was no further committee debate or officer clarification.

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

“Committee Member debate and Officer clarification included:”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted unanimously in favour of approving the application in line with the officer recommendation.

“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 Neville and a vote was taken (unanimously in favour) to approve the application in line with the officer recommendation.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was granted subject to the plans, conditions and informatives set out in the agenda report.

“RESOLVED – That application PLA238/25 be granted subject to the plans, conditions and informatives as set out in the agenda report.”

Minutes