Progress on plans to develop a new civic centre, theatre, office space and car park for Tunbridge Wells have been released.

A new website - www.TWciviccentre.co.uk - presents the borough council’s case for investing £72m in the development that would have a completion date of April 2022.

The proposed development is on the site of the current car parks at Great Hall and Mount Pleasant Avenue, and on the edge of Calverley Grounds, opposite the railway station.

The plans include the development of a 1,200-seater theatre - replacing the existing Assembly Hall Theatre - alongside commercial office space and car parking. The current town hall would also be replaced with new council offices, a civic suite and council chamber.

'We hope this will reassure residents that we have no aspiration to concrete over Calverley Grounds'

Cllr David Jukes, leader ofTunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: "The proposed development is at the heart of the council’s ambitions for the wider regeneration of the town and borough.

"There has been considerable debate and speculation over the plans and we are now able to share our current thinking with local residents and businesses.

"We hope this will reassure residents that we have no aspiration to concrete over Calverley Grounds or run the risk of the Grade II listed town hall and Assembly Hall Theatre site turning into a grot spot.

"What we want to deliver is an ambitious development that is true to Tunbridge Wells’ history, while at the same time is ambitious about the future.”

The proposals will be the subject of a council debate on Wednesday, July 26 at the town hall.

The council will be undertaking further consultation, including a public exhibition of the plans, later in the year.