Design Considerations

It is not intended to apply too many design constraints on competitors’ ideas for the site: we wish to allow designs that test the boundaries and create something worthy of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

It is acknowledged that this is a difficult site in terms of topography and location. This however also presents a challenging opportunity to utilise these parameters.

Whilst quality is of paramount importance, it is equally important that development proposals should be functional and viable.

Highlighted here are some issues that the assessors will pay regard to in their judging-

Movement, activity

How the proposals will fulfil a key town centre role, become a destination and improve footfall.

Corner

There is the opportunity for a new landmark at the corner between Church Road and Mount Pleasant Road in order to have a visual presence within the town centre and to help sensitively define and enclose the junction. Care should be taken that this does not detract from wider key vistas.

This corner should be considered an activity focus and a major pedestrian access point, inviting in character and promoting an easy access to and use of the upper floors. Expressing this activity and movement would make the scheme more inviting as well as adding more to the townscape.

Key views and roofscape

One of the features of Tunbridge Wells is the elevated vantage points and cross-town views. The roofscape should integrate and add to the texture of the overall town, but also help to mark out the town centre from wider views.