Regeneration specialist developer and investor U+I has secured planning consent to transform 30 acres of open green belt land in Kent into a new £225m green business community. This comes after the Secretary of State confirmed he did not wish to call in the application on the development planned for green belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Located just outside Tunbridge Wells, Kingstanding had received resolution to grant planning consent in September 2020 but was subject to referral to the Secretary of State. However, as the scheme will generate thousands of jobs and address a severe shortfall of warehouse and office provision in the area, full planning consent has now been granted. All matters relating to highways works have now been resolved.  

U+I’s proposals will see the delivery of nearly 800,000 sq ft of flexible warehouse and office accommodation on a well-connected site within 14 miles of the M25 and is easily accessible by car, bus and train.

Richard Upton, Chief Executive Officer, U+I, said: “This decision represents a significant step forward in unlocking the potential of this unused greenbelt land to create a thriving new business destination.

 “Much needed industrial and office space will serve local and national businesses, all the while generating thousands of jobs and stimulating economic growth, delivering real value to the local people of Tunbridge Wells.”

The scheme, which has been designed by Scott Brownrigg, sits on underused green belt land and will centre on a reinvigorated historic pond, itself surrounded by the ancient woodland of King’s Standing – providing biodiversity net gain.

In line with the council’s economic needs study – which noted the requirement for at least 14ha of additional employment land up to 2033 – Kingstanding will alleviate the shortage in warehouse and office space and stimulate economic growth. This approach is being confirmed in an emerging new Local Plan.

 The developers claim the scheme will also attract approximately £225m of new inward investment and provide up to 4,000 jobs on site; up to 1,000 local jobs indirectly through increased local support functions to the site, and 520 construction and supply jobs over an eight-year period.