Here is a selection of stories in this week’s Times of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. For more stories and the latest news, make sure to visit our sister site theknow.guide.
NEW SUPER-CLINIC AND EXTENDED GP HOURS WILL BOOST PATIENT CARE
Plans to improve local healthcare will see the creation of a new super-clinic at Tunbridge Wells Hospital along with the opening of GP surgeries until 8pm and at weekends.
The new Urgent Treatment Centres [UTCs] at the hospital in Pembury and the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s sister hospital at Maidstone will be ‘fully open’ in April 2019.
The news comes as West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group [CCG] announced the closure of out-of-hours practices at Tonbridge Cottage Hospital and Sevenoaks Community Hospital at the end of this month.
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TUNBRIDGE WELLS COUNCIL CLARIFIES ‘CPO LETTERS’
Town Hall has moved quickly to quell fears that it will issue Compulsory Purchase Orders [CPOs] to retailers next to the Civic Complex and theatre site.
Restaurant Kai’s Kitchen, jewellers Walsh Bros and the British Heart Foundation charity shop are all neighbours on Mount Pleasant and received letters from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Friday [May 11].
This was two days after planning permission was granted to build the contested £90million complex on land next to Calverley Grounds.
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OPPONENTS OF CIVIC COMPLEX MAY TAKE LEGAL ACTION
Opponents of the £90million Civic Complex and theatre are considering their options now planning permission has been secured.
In a meeting last week, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously backed the development, which could house council offices, business offices and a replacement to the Assembly Hall Theatre from 2021.
Cllr David Jukes, Leader of the ruling Conservative group, welcomed the decision as ‘good news for the transformation of the town’, and construction could begin next October.
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CYCLE PATH TO TUNBRIDGE WELLS HOSPITAL OPENED
Cyclists are now able to travel to the hospital in Pembury on an extended path, delivered as part of a £900,000 highways scheme.
The new link connects to the existing route which follows the A21 to Tonbridge and through North Farm to Tunbridge Wells, which opened last year.
Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells, and Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge, joined cyclists and dignitaries for a celebratory ride along the two mile extension on Saturday [May 12].
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