Policy C10 (The "Merton Park" Development)

Wincheap is a ward to the southwest of Canterbury with an estimated population of around 10,699. The number of households is 3,999. The Draft Local Plan proposes increasing the housing stock in this area by 82%.

Wincheap

The proposed housing development would wipe out over 100 acres of green space behind Wincheap - including historic orchards, wildlife habitats, and public footpaths stretching from Hollow Lane to Thanington and the A2. It includes land to the edge of the hospital, Simon Langton School and Canterbury Rugby Club, impacting the South of Canterbury. An estimated 16,000 fruit trees would be destroyed and the unique panoramic views of Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, would be lost to the public.

This peaceful land has long supported local wellbeing, biodiversity, and community life. Now it's at risk from a plan to build nearly 2,000 houses. And these houses will not be helping the most needy in society, with very little affordable or social housing as part of the plan.

Wincheap The Council's engagement with the community over the Merton Park proposals during Regulation 18 stages was limited in its techniques and failed to reach most people. It was therefore not effective and not consistent with national policy and does not provide a sound basis for moving to submission. In addition, while the Council claims to have taken all consultation responses into account there is no publicly available evidence that analyses the points raised or explains why they should, or should not, lead to a change to the Plan. Wincheap This has left many people feeling that the Council has not listened, and leaving them not knowing the Council's counter-arguments to the issues they have raised. The Council has also been reluctant to release information in a timely way which leaves the community with a feeling that it has not been an open and transparent process.

Council Voting

On March 18th 2026 Canterbury City Council (CCC) voted that The Canterbury District Local Plan and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment is approved for publication for a period of eight weeks to allow representations on matters of soundness and legal compliance (Regulation 19).

We lost the vote by 23 votes to 12. The voting list is below.

In terms of votes cast by our wincheap councillors, elected by us to represent us - Dane Buckman (Labour) voted to build Merton Park as part of the local plan, and Peter Campbell (Green) voted against it. Thank you councillor Peter Campbell for standing up for us and making the important point that our community has not been listened to throughout this process.

Record of the Vote

For (23): Councillors Baldock, Bland, Brady, Buckman, Butcher, Castle, Charlotte Cornell, Chris Cornell, Dawkins, Dixey, Edwards, Forrester, Hazelton, Jupe, McKenzie, Mellish, Moses, Nolan, Prentice, Ricketts, D Smith, N Smith, Sole

Against (12): Councillors Bothwell, Campbell, Carnac, Flanagan, A Harvey, Heaver, Jones, Old, Thomas, Turnbull, Paget, Watkins

Abstained (0): none

Following the eight week Regulation 19 consulation, the Local plan has now been submitted to Government for examination. We are expecting an inspector to visit before the end of 2026.

You can read more about the plan here: