Council in post-lockdown call for more potential Local Plan sites

Making sure councillors have as many choices as possible when it comes to deciding where houses should be built, where land should be dedicated to creating jobs and what areas should be protected is at the heart of a new appeal for sites as part of the Local Plan process.

The Local Plan is the blueprint councillors and planning inspectors turn to when deciding whether to grant permission for developments across the district. 

The current plan is in the process of being renewed and looks all the way ahead to 2040.

The so-called ‘call for sites’ is a key part of the process and was kicked off last year.

Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding, Leader of Canterbury City Council, said: “More than 12 months ago we invited anyone, including landowners, parish councils and members of the public, to suggest sites that should be developed, be used to create jobs, protected as open space or that could be put to really good use by the community.

“Then the global pandemic struck and life changed for all of us. Even though 177 sites have been put forward up to now, we think it is only fair to ask for more ideas in light of the changing circumstances all around us.

“As this process gathers momentum, it is vital there are as many options open to councillors as possible so the Local Plan serves the district into the future and delivers the homes, jobs and infrastructure people desperately need while protecting open spaces and dealing with the challenges of climate change.”

This map shows the sites suggested so far but lots of work is going on in the background to assess whether or not they could be considered for inclusion within the Local Plan.

No decisions have been made on any sites and the community will be consulted with once potential sites have been identified.

Sites suggested so far include:

• land in Bekesbourne for housing, affordable housing and jobs
• land along the Thanet Way for light industrial use
• land in Blean for housing which includes affordable housing
• land in Margate Road, Herne Bay, for housing
• Maypole airfield in Hoath for housing
• land next to the Old Thanet Way in Whitstable for wildlife and biodiversity habitats.

For more information or to suggest a site for consideration, go to the council's website.

Published: 18 May 2021