Ditton Parish Council

25/06/2026

Statement on the Planning Meeting held by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council on 24th June re Application TM/24/00372/OAEA



Last night at 18.30 the third meeting took place at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council buildings in Kings Hill to discuss the planned large housing development that will consist of 1,300 homes on the 80ha site between Kiln Barn Road, Ditton to Hermitage Lane, Aylesford and Barming. It also discussed upgrading the current footpath that crosses the East Malling Research site to a road linking Kilnbarn Road to New Road, East Malling (the "sustainable transport corridor").

The previous two meetings highlighted Area 2 and Area 3 TMBC Councillors concerns about the assurance of supply of water, the potential of minerals on the site and the proposed sustainable transport corridor. However, the area planning committees have now been subsumed into a single committee that considers all applications across the borough.

All attendees (including those Councillors who had already seen it) had to watch the same pre-recorded slideshow and commentary presented at the two previous meetings.

When parishes and members of the public were permitted to speak, two parishes (Ditton and Teston) and two members of the public spoke highlighting all our objections. The wide-ranging objections showed the depth of feeling in the area.

Consultants spoke about the concerns raised at the previous two meetings but did not show any substantial new evidence to mitigate the concerns of the committee members.

In the end after another 3.5 hours of debate, and the recommendation to approve from the Director of Planning, the committee voted by 10 votes to 3 to record that they are minded to refuse the application. The legal team at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is concerned that the reasons recorded as grounds for refusal are likely to be subject to a legal appeal by the landowner. TMBC will now undertake a costing exercise to determine the potential costs such that the Planning Committee is fully informed of the potential financial impact of a legal appeal before a formal decision is made.

It means that now after 9.5 hours over 3 meetings, another meeting will be needed to determine if the plan is refused formally.

DPC will issue updates covering any new announcements and will continue to work alongside local TMBC councillors to resist the application

25/06/2026

FROM SOUTH EAST WATER: ** HOSEPIPE BAN IN KENT **
Help us to protect local water supplies

Following a sustained period of hot, dry weather, demand for water across Kent has reached exceptionally high levels. While we’ve worked to sustain supplies, the continued pressure on our network means we now need to reduce non-essential water use.

Introducing a Temporary Use Ban will help protect local water resources and ensure we can continue to provide a reliable supply of drinking water to customers and essential services across the county.

We’re asking everyone across the county to please follow these restrictions straight away, to help us protect local water supplies. These restrictions will be enforced from 00:01 on Friday, 3 July.

South East Water has introduced a hosepipe ban for their customers in Kent.

24/06/2026

23/06/2026

FROM SOUTH EAST WATER:

We’re going into another heatwave this week and we want to make sure the taps keep flowing for everyone. We need your help to do this.

Please share the messaging below and the images attached, amongst your communities to ensure as many people are aware as possible.

Please use water for essential purposes only: hygiene, drinking and cooking.

Why are we asking you to help?
Right now the demand for water is of course higher due to the weather. On Sunday 21 June the total amount of water we treated and put into the network was 644 million litres, that’s 56 million more than the average for June. It’s likely that figure will rise further with hotter weather forecast for later this week.
We want to be honest with you.

To help meet this demand we have:

• All possible Water Treatment Works operating 24/7
• Increased the teams fixing bursts and leaks to save more water
• Re-routed water around the network
• Tankered in more water
• Filled drinking water storage tanks as much as we can
• Managed pressure across the network

However, when demand is as high as this or higher on consecutive days, we struggle to supply everyone. Those living at the far end of our pipeline network or on higher ground can see their taps run completely dry.

We know we need to improve this and build more resilience into the network to cope with the changing climate and more frequent heatwaves, and we will. Building this infrastructure takes time and it’s not all in place yet.

This means for now we need your help.
Every change you make has a real impact on keeping the taps flowing for your neighbours and local communities.

Please share the information below.

How you can help
Simple swaps can make a huge difference to help keep the taps flowing for everyone and prevent further measures.
• Pause all hose use
• Only use water for hygiene, drinking and cooking
• Don’t refill paddling pools or hot tubs
• Don’t use a jet washer

How long will this be for?
This is temporary, just while we get through this latest heatwave. The more people who can help, the better for your area – so please spread the word to friends and neighbours!
Thank you!
We understand you are frustrated and we are sincerely sorry, especially to the thousands of customers who experienced real difficulty, distress and hardship when water supplies were interrupted a few weeks ago.
We’re committed to doing better, including how we communicate. That’s why in this email we’ve wanted to be upfront and honest about the current situation.
We’ve also attached some images you can use on your own social media channels, on your website and in emails.
Please also share the messages we’re putting out on social media:
Facebook: sewateruk
X (formerly known as Twitter):
Instagram: officialsewateruk
Linked In: South East Water UK
We’d like to thank you, as well as each and every customer for reading and helping reduce your water use this week.

23/06/2026

From South Eastern Network Rail

The Met Office has issued red and amber weather warnings for Greater London and Kent through to Thursday 25 June, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 38°C. These conditions are likely to affect rail operations across the network.
While Southeastern plans to operate a full timetable, the extreme heat may require operational adjustments to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Rail temperatures can reach around 50°C in direct sunlight, which may lead to speed restrictions, longer journey times, and an increased likelihood of delays or short-notice changes to services.
Customers are being advised to travel only if absolutely necessary during the hottest periods, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday when temperatures are expected to peak. If they do need to travel, we encourage them to check their journeys before travelling, allow extra time, and travel at quieter times where possible. They are also advised to stay hydrated and seek assistance from staff if needed.
For those who choose not to travel on Wednesday 24 or Thursday 25 June, tickets can be refunded or used on alternative dates (Tuesday 23 or Friday 26 June) at no extra cost. If the journey includes other train operators, customers should check National Rail Enquiries for the latest information on arrangements for their full journey.
We've put extra support in place across the network to minimise disruption and support customers, including:
• Additional staff and mobile response teams across the network
• Increased traincrew and engineering resource
• Preparation of trains to support air conditioning and reduce heat-related faults
• Engineering teams positioned at key locations to respond quickly
• Enhanced monitoring of track and infrastructure
• Additional water supplies available at stations and on trains
Conditions will continue to be monitored closely, and travel advice may change as the week progresses.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require any further information or support. You can also keep up-to-date on our service disruption page, our WhatsApp channel or by following us on X or BlueSky.

22/06/2026

TMBC - Current status of bin collections
Earlier waste collections during heatwave

Due to the hot weather, waste and recycling collections will start earlier than usual (from 6am) for the duration of the heatwave. Please make sure your bins are out for collection the night before, or by 6am at the latest.

▮recycling (green-lidded bin and green box)

▮food waste - running to normal schedule

▮refuse (black bin) - running to normal schedule

▮garden waste - running to normal schedule

Find your next collection dates www.tmbc.gov.uk/forms/waste-collection-dates

18/06/2026

NOTIFICATION FROM KCC ABOUT THE ROAD WORKS ON KILNBARN ROAD/NEW ROAD JCT

Emergency Road Closure - Brampton Field, Ditton - 17th June 2026 (Tonbridge & Malling)

It will be necessary to close Brampton Field, Ditton from 17th June 2026 for up to 3 days.

The road will be closed outside 4 Kiln Barn Road.

The alternative route is via Brampton Field.

This is to enable burst water main repairs to be carried out by South East Water.

Enclosed is a copy of the Traffic Notice in confirmation of this.

This bulletin contains public information and can be freely forwarded to any other road users who may be affected. Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, but no liability can be accepted for any changes or errors.

For details of roadworks, please see One.Network

KCC Highways & Transportation: keeping you up to date with what’s happening on our roads - for more information visit https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/KentHighways

Official Twitter feed for KCC Highways. Local travel information. Please report Highway faults via our website: https://t.co/eKoV1x8Sbi or call 03000 418181

18/06/2026

EMERGENCY UTILITY WORKS ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN BY SE WATER ON THE BEND OF NEW ROAD/KILNBARN ROAD. THERE ARE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC LIGHTS IN OPERATION. DETAILS BELOW COPIED FROM ONE.NETWORK [There was no advanced warning - works are estimated to finish by 5.00pm 19/06/2026]

17/06/2026

Emergency Road Closure - Rochester Road, Aylesford - 16th June 2026 (Tonbridge & Malling)

It will be necessary to close Rochester Road, Aylesford from 16th June 2026 for up to 4 days.

The road will be closed outside property number 50.


*** Please be advised the alternative route for these works has been changed to the following:
Rochester Road, Kits Coty Slip Southbound On, A229 Blue Bell Hill, A229 Chatham Road, Running Horse Roundabout, Forstal Road, Rochester Road. Rochester Road, Forstal Road, Running Horse Roundabout, A229 Chatham Road, A229 Blue Bell Hill, Kits Coty Slip Northbound Off, Rochester Road. ***

This is to repair a leaking comm pipe in the carriageway, to be carried out by South East Water.

Enclosed is a copy of the Traffic Notice in confirmation of this.

This bulletin contains public information and can be freely forwarded to any other road users who may be affected. Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, but no liability can be accepted for any changes or errors.

For details of roadworks, please see One.Network

KCC Highways & Transportation: keeping you up to date with what’s happening on our roads - for more information visit https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/KentHighways