‘Give us more time on homes plans’ Residents says a week is not long enough to consider amended proposals

The developer behind the Mountfield Park project in south Canterbury has made a series of revisions to documents surrounding the 4,000-house scheme – but critics complain they do have not enough time to scrutinise them.

Last week, house-builder Corinthian submitted amended papers to Canterbury City Council which included a suggested eastern by-pass route over the countryside towards Bekesbourne and in the direction of the A257.

The city council has given organisations and individuals another week to examine and comment on the plans.

But architect Nick Blake insists that for the scheme to go to the council’s planning committee would be “premature”.

He said: “There are lots of alterations to the plans and more time is needed – which is something Cllr Steven Williams has asked for.

“The developers have suggested placing what is effectively a section of an eastern ring road in the countryside going out towards Bekesbourne. This may well blight properties out there.

“I do not understand why a private sector firm is suggesting where a ring road should go – isn’t this what Kent County Council is there for? Furthermore, the line Corinthian has drawn simply stops at the railway line.

“The main point is that the application is premature. Ultimately, it seems, we have no proper planning system.”

Other amendments to the plan include extra open space, an option for a “cycle friendly route” along St Augustine’s Road and a reduction in the size of one of the blocks on the site.

But David Kemsley, of the Southern Canterbury Alliance, says many residents’ groups are still concerned with the height of the structure known as block 6, which contains luxury flats commanding views over the city.

In drawings which Corinthian published in March, the block had a height of 20 metres – reduced to 15 in this month’s revised papers following criticism it was too high.

“We are very grateful for the council giving us the extra time to comment, but our initial view is that it is still too high, especially in the context of Canterbury as a world heritage site,” he said.

Canterbury City Council says it is under no obligation to offer extra time for comment on the revised plans but has done so “in recognition of the public interest in this application”.

People have until Thursday, November 24, to submit their views. No date has been set for the Mountfield Park application to go to the planning committee.

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk or write to Gazette House, Estuary View Business Park, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.