Canterbury City Council is proposing the next Local Plan to guide development and growth until the year 2042/3. This plan will significantly influence the future of our community, affecting housing - 23,000 more houses, transportation, green spaces, infrastructure, and more. It is crucial that this plan aligns with the needs and values of all residents, protecting both our environment and our quality of life.

We have created this petition to enable residents to challenge the soundness of the Local Plan as per Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations 2012.

By signing this petition, you will add your name to others who believe that the Local Plan to 2042/3 is unsound and ask that the Planning Inspectorate scrutinise every detail.

We the undersigned believe that Canterbury City Council's Local Plan to 2042/3, is unsound and not compliant with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The reasons are as follows:

1. South East Water has stated that it cannot supply increased housing demands. The Director of Operations stated “we will struggle to supply any housing growth above what’s included in our water management plan” (BBC News 14/3/2026), contrary to paragraphs 162 & 188 & Chapter 14 of the NPPF.

2. Southern Water regularly discharges untreated sewage into our sea and waterways, which will increase with further development.

This Practice does not comply with paragraph 109 or 170e of the NPPF to prevent pollution.

3. Healthcare in the Canterbury district is currently stretched to capacity.

It is not adequate to meet the demands of increased population with planned housing development.

CCC are depending on Section 106 & Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions to provide healthcare services within "Community Hubs".

There is a risk that developers may renege on S 106 & CIL contributions at the end of projects, (as has happened in other parts of the country), thus risking noncompliance with paragraph 34 of the NPPF and putting residents’ lives at risk.

4. Kent County Council put in a holding objection to Planning Application CA/25/00779, Land at Brooklands Farm, Whitstable.

This contained numerous issues concerning road safety and traffic capacity. We do not believe Canterbury City Council have taken an overview of the impact of all developments in the Whitstable area of the proposed Local Plan, and those already under construction from the previous Local Plan, therefore risking an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impact on the local road network, thus raising the question whether paragraph 116 of the NPPF should be taken into account, and development in Whitstable should be reduced and large sites removed.