Plans to redevelop a town centre car park into a 17-storey apartment block are set to be submitted in the coming months.
Proposals to redevelop the Torrington Car Park in Tunbridge Wells town centre first surfaced late last year when developers Grifo started consulting on the plans.
Grifo Developments are proposing to redevelop the Torrington multi-storey car park in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Grifo Developments
The facility sits on Vale Avenue, next to the town’s railway station.
Grifo wrote at the time that the “prominent but underwhelming site could be transformed into a high-quality, mixed-use development that improves the arrival experience into the town.”
The firm has newly submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening opinion request.
This is a request from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) for a view on whether an EIA is needed alongside a forthcoming planning application.
In a future application, they will request permission to redevelop the site into one 17-storey block with a 10-storey ‘shoulder’ building, including 122 built to rent apartments.
The building hosting the car park itself is not set for demolition under Grifo’s plans, who say they will “retain and improve all existing public parking provision in the completed development, with additional spaces provided for residents.”
Developers say the redevelopment could be done by 2029 if all goes to plan. Picture: Grifo Developments
“A phased construction and parking continuity strategy is being developed to maintain access to parking throughout the build period,” they add.
All 405 spaces will be re-provided, with an extra 52 for residents and 185 cycle parking spaces.
Home shop the Range occupies an existing 6,900 sq m building in the site, which Grifo, who own the long leasehold to the car park already, say they will re-provide with the development.
In December, TWBC adopted its local plan – a blueprint for housebuilding in the district in coming decades – the site is allocated for residential redevelopment.
The Range currently has a shop in the same building as the car park. Picture: Google
The ‘Future of Torrington’ website, which the firm used to initially consult on the plans and display designs, is still online, and the developers say they are open to any additional public comments.
The Tunbridge Wells-based developers argue an EIA is not needed with the planning application, which they expect to be submitted around summer time.
Works are hoped to start in 2027, and be completed in 2029.