Canterbury draws up plan for thousands of homes

A final version of a plan to build thousands of homes has been drawn up to be sent to the government for approval.

Canterbury City Council (CCC) published the strategy on Wednesday which allocates land for housing until 2043.

It has a target of building 1,215 homes a year - which is more than 23,000 by 2042/43, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It stipulates on greenfield sites 30% of new homes must be marketed as affordable, of which a third must be for social rent.

The plan includes measures to ensure at least 2,329 of those homes will be available at affordable rents and 721 will be for older people.

It also includes a focus on community facilities including 169 hectares [418 acres] of open spaces and sports pitches, and a focus on the city centre.

Council chiefs confirmed thousands of homes previously earmarked for unpopular sites have been deleted.

This includes 170 homes for land in Rattington Street, in Chartham, and 150 homes east of Chestfield being removed from the blueprint.

Instead, CCC officials have increased homes to be built on brownfield sites.

Council leader Alan Baldock said: "This plan works to bolster the economy, preserve the district's history and protects its environment."

After being debated at an overview committee and being approved by cabinet, CCC's full council will get to vote on the plan on 18 March.

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