Our main concern today is the scale of new housing planned for the Canterbury district, and what it would mean for Wincheap’s green spaces, roads and air quality.
The new Local Plan
Canterbury City Council’s new Local Plan will decide where new homes and other development can go across the district until 2043. Under the Government’s housing target, the council must plan for 1,215 new homes a year, more than 23,000 homes in total by 2042/43. Just under 10,000 of these are on newly allocated sites; most of the rest are carried forward from the council’s 2017 Local Plan.
In March 2026 the council voted to publish the final draft of the plan for its last public consultation. The plan is now going through an independent examination by a government-appointed planning inspector, who will decide whether it is sound before it can be adopted.
Merton Park: nearly 2,000 homes behind Wincheap
The proposal that affects Wincheap most directly is “Merton Park” (Policy C10 in the draft plan): nearly 2,000 homes on more than 100 acres of orchards, fields and footpaths behind Wincheap, stretching from Hollow Lane towards Thanington and the A2. It would increase the number of homes in Wincheap ward by around 82%, and would mean the loss of historic orchards, wildlife habitats and much-loved open views of the Cathedral.
The Society supports the Save Wincheap Orchards & Fields campaign, which is leading local opposition to the proposal.
The effect on our local environment
Traffic on Wincheap is already terribly busy, all day long and from every direction. We are concerned that so much more development, all at once and so close to Wincheap, would bring even more traffic and air pollution to our streets, put further strain on water, sewage and local services, and take away green space that residents and wildlife depend on. Roads and services need to be planned properly before homes are built, not afterwards.
Other ongoing concerns
- Traffic and air quality on Wincheap and the surrounding streets.
- The A2/A28 fourth slip road and the junctions of the A2 and A28.
- The proposed Wincheap gyratory system.
- The future of the Wincheap Park and Ride site.
Get involved
The more local people speak up, the more notice decision-makers have to take. Become a member to hear about consultations and meetings, or get in touch if there’s an issue you think we should know about.