THE ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND RUSTHALL COMMONS ARE FOR SALE!

Our 250+ acres of ancient woodland, heathland, sandstone outcrops like Toad Rock and Wellington Rocks, and open green spaces—are a huge part of what makes living in Rusthall feel special. 

As someone who is a resident of Rusthall and often walks the Commons, rain or shine, summer flowers or winter frost I recently went to a community meeting at Rusthall Church Centre.  The place was packed with local people asking questions and showing real concern about the future.

What a lot of us didn’t realise until recently is that the Commons have always been privately owned, not by the council or anyone public. Since 2008, they’ve belonged to Targetfollow (Pantiles) Limited, part of a commercial property group based in Norwich. Late last year, they put the Commons on the market. 

This is a rare chance—maybe the only one in our lifetimes—to bring them into community ownership for the first time.

The Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, a registered charity that’s been looking after the place since 1991, are stepping up to explore a community bid. Their goal is to secure the land so it’s managed forever for local people, wildlife, and our shared heritage—free from any risk of commercial pressures.

There are strong legal protections already in place. As registered common land, we all have the right to walk and enjoy the Commons without restriction. Laws like the Rusthall Manor Act 1863, modern planning rules, and the statutory role of the Tunbridge Wells & Rusthall Commons Conservators make major development extremely difficult.

But here’s the worry that keeps some of us up at night: if the Commons go to another private commercial buyer—especially a property developer—the door could open, even slightly to gradual changes that chip away at what we love. The sales brochure highlights “untapped income potential” and precedents for payments related to access or other uses. 

While protections are solid now, a new owner with different priorities might push boundaries over time, testing limits in ways that erode the peaceful, undeveloped character we’ve cherished for generations. 

Community ownership would close that door for good—no more wondering what a future sale might bring.

Because the Commons are listed as an Asset of Community Value by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the sale triggered a community right to bid. This gives the Friends until 26 March 2026 to pull together a serious, funded offer. Time is short, and they need as many local pledges as possible to show real support and help make the bid credible.

I’ve already made my pledge—it’s not about handing over money right now, just committing to support if the bid goes ahead and succeeds. You only pay if it actually works. I’m doing this because I want our future generations to have the same freedom to roam these paths, climb the rocks, and breathe in the fresh air that we have enjoyed all these years. 

I don’t want them to look back and wonder why we didn’t act when we had the chance.

If you feel the same—if these Commons matter to your family, your walks, your sense of home—please consider pledging too. It really could make the difference.

How to get involved right now:

Go to friendsofthecommons.uk  to read the Sale FAQs, see the latest details, and register your pledge online.

Or email John Barber directly at johnspbarber@gmail.com to make a pledge (just include your name, contact details, and the amount you’re willing to commit if the bid succeeds).

Check the website for any upcoming meetings or events—there have been some well-attended ones recently.

Talk to your neighbours, friends, and family who love the Commons—spread the word.

The response from locals has been heartfelt and growing, but with the March deadline approaching fast, they need more of us to step up. Let’s protect this irreplaceable part of Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells together, for everyone who comes after us.

For the latest information, visit friendsofthecommons.uk, twcommons.org, or the council’s site. Your pledge could help keep the Commons ours—truly ours.

Rob Grindley