On the 6th December Councillors will vote on whether to proceed with a formal planning application for the £90m Civic Complex (yes, as predicted it’s gone up from £72m!). We understand that planning permission could be granted as early as March next year. Right idea, but poorly executed and in the wrong location. Despite claims otherwise, Save Our Park (like TW Alliance) is not anti-theatre. We just don’t think what is being proposed is the right theatre. The council will burden the borough with a 19th century theatre looking to the past and not the future. It’s important to point out that the council’s promise of a £14m boost to the local economy is incorrect. The author of the formula, and the Arts Council, admit that this calculation doesn’t work for touring theatre productions. It is estimated that the benefit could be £4m. That’s 70% less than the council is claiming. And then of course there is the £77m loan with repayments of £2.8m every year, for the next 50 years. We need your help for the greater good of this borough. Here’s a few things you can do: 1. Write to allcouncillors@tunbridgewells.gov.uk raising your concerns. In a 2015 residents survey 55% of residents said they would not pay £10 more in Council Tax for a new theatre. And yet councillors are convinced that the majority of borough residents want a new theatre, and the repayments associated with the £77m loan required to build it. Write to allcouncillors@tunbridgewells.gov.uk 2. Share this email with friends and family and encourage those that are also concerned with the councils intent to spend £90m on new council offices and a theatre to write to: allcouncillors@tunbridgewells.gov.uk. Our councillors need to know the strength of feeling prior to the 6th December meeting. 3. Please Attend the Full Council Meeting on 6th December at 6.30pm, Tunbridge Wells Town Hall. Vote with your feet and be present. 4. And if you would like to help by circulating leaflets for TW Alliance please email info@twalliance.com Thanks you! Save Our Park