Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Proposed Civic Complex and New Theatre will it affect local businesses? In 2015 TWBC determined that it would relocate its town hall to be adjacent to and within the western edge of Calverley Grounds. It would also build a new theatre on the Great Hall car park as a replacement for the Assembly Hall Theatre. The plans are available here: http://www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/business/enterprise-and-regeneration/regeneration/civic-complexdevelopment The council will apply for planning permission later this year, with construction planned to commence late 2018. Why might this be of concern to local businesses?
205 parking spaces in the Great Hall car park (currently 80% occupancy, on average, i.e. full for peak periods) and 60 in Mount Pleasant will be removed during construction.
A replacement car park will be built underneath Calverley Grounds. This will not be completed until 3-4 years after the other two car parks have been removed.
The replacement car park will be located towards the NW of CG, stretching along the northern boundary (i.e. it’ll be towards the “top of the hill”). It is uncertain where the pedestrian exits will be.
Construction traffic will likely increase congestion.
Once the theatre is in place traffic will likely worsen at the bottom of Grove Hill Road. Service vehicles are either entering and exiting Hoopers’ car park (if small/medium sized) or entering between Sainsbury's and Carluccios and exiting through Hoopers’ car park (if large).
The council will need to raise c.£2.5m per annum to cover the costs of the project (debt and theatre subsidy). Some of this will be covered by renting 2/3 of the office space in the new town hall (the theatre will be loss making). Any remainder will have to come from increased taxes/rates or services cuts.
Some things to think about?
Do you currently benefit from the Assembly Hall?
Will a new, larger, theatre and offices benefit your business?
Does your business rely on customers driving into town and using the town’s car parks?
Do your customers tend to park at the bottom or top of the hill?
Through what use (residential, commercial, university) of the existing civic buildings would your business most benefit? (We believe the most likely future use, if this project goes ahead, would be residential.)
The extension to Crescent Road car park (of 90 spaces) has been brought forward and may be completed prior to the project commencing. Will additional spaces in the Crescent Road car park alleviate the loss of parking at the bottom of Mount Pleasant in the Great Hall car park?
Are there alternative uses of public funds that could benefit your business?
Some suggested questions
What is the timeframe for the project?
Has the council prepared impact assessments for the effect of decreased car parking on local businesses during construction?
Will the council commit to completing the extension of the Crescent Road car park prior to commencing work on the other two car parks?
Should the council be extending the old Crescent Road car park?
Will extra spaces in the Crescent Road car park alleviate loss of parking at the bottom of Mount Pleasant in the Great Hall car park? (Most people do not like walking up the hill.)
Has the council prepared impact assessments for the effect of congestion on local businesses during construction?
Will the council increase rates to fund this project?
Will the council provide a rates rebate (or similar measures) to compensate for the impact of construction?
How does the council propose to improve the road layout on Grove Hill Road to cope with the increased amount of large vehicles servicing the theatre?
Will the council proceed with the project if it fails to secure a tenant for the new offices? (NB: the office marketing site is available here: http://www.onetunbridgewells.co.uk/)
Will the council proceed with the project if it fails to secure a tenant/developer for the town hall/AHT?
What is the most likely future use for the existing buildings?
If the project fails to go ahead what measures does the council plan to take to boost the local economy?
Will the noise and dust from the construction of a 3 storey underground car park under Calverley Grounds and two six plus storey buildings impact business during the period of construction?
Will the two new large buildings in Calverley Grounds impact businesses near the town centre park? e.g. change of outlook from property, additional traffic on Mount Pleasant Avenue, reduced taxi rank on Mount Pleasant Avenue, ...