Tunbridge Wells Commons For Sale

In January 2008, Targetfollow group purchased the title of "Manor of Rusthall", giving it control of the Commons, alongside The Pantiles for a reported £11million. It's believed the majority of this sum was spent buying the historical promenade.

During its ownership of the Commons, Targetfollow notifed scores of residents with property bordering the commons to pay up to £350 a year, plus a £300 sign-up fee, for the right to walk across so called ‘ransom strips’ of land to reach their homes.

In 2017, Targetfollow rejected a bid by the Borough Council to buy the Commons, despite "a substantial offer" being made.  

That followed 1,000 members of the public signing a petition asking for the Commons to be purchased and placed in public hands.

Any offers made by the local authority for the Commons would be tightly controlled by the District Valuer Services, potentially limiting the amount the council could offer.

The Commons have the highest levels of planning protection. They are legally registered as Village Green land which means it would be almost impossible for any development to take place.

The Commons are also listed as an Asset of Community Value which means if it's offered for sale, then that automatically triggers a "community right to bid" process.

The Friends group has told Targetfollow of its plan to bid and now has six months to raise the necessary funds and submit an offer by 26 March 2026.

Ben Chapelard, Council Leader (pictured below) said: ‘The Commons are at the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells. They’re one of the things that make our town special – a place residents, businesses and visitors all enjoy and value.

"The Council cares deeply about their future, and we play an active role through the Conservators that looks after them. People who love the Commons can be reassured: your access to them is not under threat.

"The Commons are very well protected. National and local planning rules are in place to safeguard them, and they’ve also been listed for years as an Asset of Community Value.

"That status means they can’t be sold without the community being told, and it gives local groups the time and right to put forward a bid. This process has now been triggered after the Commons owner, Targetfollow, told the Council it intends to sell.

"The Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons have been notified, as required by the Community Right to Bid rules.

"It’s unlikely the Council itself would be able to buy the Commons, but we are ready to work with local groups and anyone interested in keeping them safe for the future.’

Ian Marshall, Chair of the Freehold Tenants said: ‘We work tirelessly to help protect the Commons and fund projects recommended by the Commons General Manager and Ranger to improve not only the biodiversity of the Commons but also their appeal to the residents and visitors of Tunbridge Wells to appreciate and enjoy them.’

The Commons are managed by the Commons Conservators, which is a statutory body of 12 people. 

The Commons Conservator body consists of 12 persons appointed as follows:
• Four by the Lord of the Manor, who may nominate himself and his steward and bailiff or any other person as he may think fit;
• Four by the Freehold Tenants from among persons whose names appear in the Register of Freehold Tenants of Rusthall Manor directed to be kept by the Rusthall Manor Act 1863;
• Four by the Council from among the persons who are members of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for wards comprised within the former borough.

The council also had a bid to buy the Commons turned down in November 2007. The agents handling the sale of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, CB Richard Ellis, insisted the land would be sold as a package along with The Pantiles arcade. At that time there were more than 10 bids received. The asking price for The Pantiles, was £10 million. Offers over £850,000 were being sought for the Commons and the title the Manor of Rusthall, which includes two cricket grounds, two car parks and other properties.