Big news for Canterbury! That massive 2,000-home development proposed for the University of Kent’s land? It’s officially off the table after a major council shake-up! Local campaigners are celebrating, but new housing and infrastructure plans are emerging. What does this mean for the future of our city?
A significant shift in regional urban planning has seen a controversial 2,000-home development, originally slated for University of Kent land, formally removed from Canterbury City Council’s latest draft local plan. This decision marks a major victory for local campaigners and signals a new direction for the district’s future growth strategies, impacting the future of Canterbury housing and Kent development.
The proposed large-scale residential project, envisioned for a countryside plot north of the university’s city campus, had been put forward by the cash-strapped institution with the aim of generating crucial funding for its core educational offerings. University officials had previously articulated that freeing up this land was intended to provide wider benefits to the local community while bolstering institutional finances, a key aspect of university finances.
However, these ambitious proposals met with considerable opposition from residents and environmental groups, most notably the “Save the Blean” protesters. These community activists organized demonstrations, including marches through the city, vehemently advocating against the construction of such a substantial housing estate on greenbelt land, citing concerns over environmental impact and local infrastructure strain, showcasing strong community activism.
The recent shake-up in housing strategy stems from the new Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition administration, which assumed power in Canterbury following the 2023 elections. This new leadership has actively sought to redefine the city’s development blueprint, consciously moving away from elements of the previous Tory leadership’s draft local plan, including a contentious ‘zoning plan’ that would have regulated traffic movement, reflecting changes in local government and urban planning.
While the expansive 2,000-home site near the University of Kent has been removed, the council is still committed to meeting its housing targets through alternative allocations as part of its local plan revision. This includes the reintroduction of a site on the eastern edge of Canterbury, previously earmarked for almost 2,200 homes under the Tories’ earlier plan, alongside proposals for a new eastern bypass road designed to alleviate congestion.
Further infrastructure adjustments are also part of the revised plan, aiming to support sustainable growth and connectivity across the district. New Park & Ride facilities are proposed for the A257 Littlebourne Road route and at Thannington Recreation Ground, with the latter specifically intended to complement the planned sports hub development at Merton Park, highlighting new infrastructure initiatives.
Intriguingly, plans for a new city hospital, which had been previously mooted for a site known as Ridlands Farm near the Merton Park development, have been entirely scrapped in this new draft. Instead, 310 homes are now proposed for this land, with only a small portion safeguarded for future healthcare development, indicating a reprioritization of land use within the city’s comprehensive planning.
These significant revisions are poised for a critical vote by the city council’s cabinet on September 8, which will determine whether the new plans proceed to public consultation. This period will allow residents and various organizations ample opportunity to scrutinize and comment on the proposed changes, ensuring a democratic process in shaping Canterbury’s future urban and rural landscape, involving crucial local government politics.
