PLANS for the Calverley Grounds bandstand in Tunbridge Wells are "still on ice" as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council continues to wrestle with ideas for its future.

The council leader remained tight-lipped this week on the council's ideas, but said he would be in a better position to reveal more next week.

A detailed paper stating plans for the area needs to be lodged with any planning application for demolition.

Leader of the council Cllr Roy Bullock told the Kent and Sussex Courier, on Wednesday, the authority was holding meetings, including with "external people", to come up with proposals, but he would not be pushed on whether a new bandstand was in the pipeline.

He would also not say which organisations or individuals outside of the council the authority was meeting with, but added: "we think we know the way forward".

Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society chairman Alastair Tod said he was concerned by the amount of time it was taking for the council to announce its plans.

"We are getting worried and we are concerned, it has gone quiet recently. Why don't they get on with it? I think it is taking too long.

"Another bandstand needs to be built.

"The civic society has urged the council to set up an independent body to create a replacement bandstand with level access, sound and lighting facilities to enable a wide range of entertainment to be staged. Whether this is what they are planning remains to be seen."

Mr Tod said relocating the bandstand would be the best possible outcome.

"A site nearer the rose garden would leave more space for spectators and also be more visible from Mount Pleasant, making the park more inviting and more of a tourist attraction.

"Many other towns which have lost their bandstands are recreating them in traditional Victorian form, which would be in keeping with the original bandstand and the character of the town, and form a dramatic feature in Calverley Grounds.

"The council has a budget of £26,000 and proposes to spend much of this on creating a cleared site.

"We invite them instead to respect public wishes and give their support to a proper replacement managed by an independent trust."

The much-loved focal point has been cordoned off for more than four weeks following advice contained in a structural report.

The Kent and Sussex Courier's Save our Bandstand petition, which calls for the historic landmark to be replaced with a new inspiring design, now has more than 2,250 signatures.

If you want to add your name to our Save our Bandstand petition you can visit www.this iskent.co.uk/bandstandpetition or fill in the form.