Society calls for stronger evidence on infrastructure, delivery and affordability
The Canterbury Society has concluded that, in its current form, the new Local Plan covering Canterbury fails to demonstrate that development can be delivered in a way that is aligned with infrastructure capacity and environmental constraints. While the Society welcomes the continued progress of the Local Plan and supports the need to plan positively for the district’s future, including the delivery of new homes, it is our view that as currently drafted the Plan is undeliverable and cannot achieve its aims.
The response draws on technical analysis, member feedback, and engagement with civic partners across the district.
A Local Plan is essential to Canterbury’s future, and we support the principle of planning for growth.
The issue is not whether development should happen, but whether it should be at this scale, in these locations and whether it can be delivered in a coordinated and sustainable way.
We hope the next stage of the process provides an opportunity to strengthen the Plan by addressing the many shortcomings we, and others, have identified so that it can meet the needs of both current and future residents.
Concerns
The Society’s submission focuses on a central concern: that the Plan does not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate a reasonable prospect of delivery, as required by national planning policy.
The submission covers:
- Infrastructure delivery: limited evidence that infrastructure will be provided in step with development, with no clear phasing or safeguards
- Transport strategy: reliance on reductions in car use without clear evidence that these are achievable or sufficient to address existing constraints
- Water supply and wastewater: known capacity pressures and reliance on major infrastructure not expected until later in the plan period
- Housing delivery: ambitious build rates that are not clearly aligned with infrastructure provision or past delivery trends
- Monitoring and intervention: no clear mechanism to respond if infrastructure or delivery assumptions are not met
The submission also highlights concerns about affordable housing allocation.
This is about getting the Plan right. Canterbury needs a Local Plan that is deliverable, evidence-led, and supported by the infrastructure required to make it work.
At the moment, the Plan identifies growth, but does not clearly demonstrate that the infrastructure needed to support that growth will be in place at the right time. That creates a risk not just to delivery, but to the quality of life of existing and future communities.
There’s been a tendency to suggest that any delay automatically creates a planning free-for-all. That isn’t how the system works. Even under the presumption, development must still be sustainable and infrastructure constraints still apply. That’s why getting the evidence right now matters.
Supporting the examination process
The Society’s submission is structured to support the next stage of independent examination, including a dedicated set of Matters, Issues and Questions aligned to national policy.
The response reflects input from members and engagement with civic groups across the district, highlighting a shared interest in ensuring that growth is properly planned, sustainable, and deliverable.
Read the full submission
The full Canterbury Society response is available here
Related submissions and evidence
The Canterbury Society’s response sits alongside a number of detailed submissions prepared by civic groups and stakeholders across the district.
These submissions provide additional analysis and evidence on key issues including infrastructure delivery, transport, water resources, and housing need. These documents have been prepared independently and are referenced to support transparency and access to the wider evidence base.
- Alliance of Canterbury Residents’ Associations (ACRA) – Regulation 19 Submission
- Save Wincheap Orchards and Fields Campaign – Regulation 19 Submission
Media enquiries
For further information or interview requests, please contact:
Email: chair@canterburysociety.org.uk
Regarding housing. I believe that there are many empty unused properties that should be brought back into the housing stock before building new. Unused shops could be converted. Houses being used as offices and commercial use stopped.
Transport in my area is nonexistent
A forensically thorough submission, well done.
I was wondering whether the committee have been given sight of the letter from David Lock Associates to Jo Dymowska (CCC Consultant Planner), dated 23rd April, 2026. This outlines changes to the South Canterbury (previously‘Mountfield Park), plans: ‘South Canterbury – Application for Non-Material Amendment (Section 96 A), to approved application reference 16/00600 ?
How PLEASED I am to read this.
It’s clear a huge amount of work has gone into it and more importantly it actually says what a lot of people are thinking but far better than we ever could. Thank you for speaking up PROPERLY for Canterbury not just going along with things. Seeing the work of the society over the past year or so has prompted me to join as a paid member.
Well worth the money in my view if this is the sort of work being done! Very well done to all involved.