UKC masterplan not available until next year

A report outlining the findings of a public consultation into the University of Kent’s concept masterplan will not be available until the new year.

UKC had aimed to have the document finalised and made public by the end of 2016 but work is still under way.

The masterplan, which sets out the university’s vision for the next 30 to 50 years, involves a redesign of the campus with a new walkway lined with shops, cafes, cultural and leisure buildings, as well as pedestrian and cycling routes.

The concept also includes development of the university’s northern holdings at Blean, with residential development next to the vil- lage, space for car parking and a “satellite” which could accommodate a commercial hub or research and innovation campus.

A public consultation ran from July to September and included presentations and exhibitions, with people invited to respond to the plans.

Residents and campaigners criticised the Blean scheme and called for the consultation to be redone after accusing the university of failing to consult properly, something UKC denied.

Spokesman Sandy Fleming said: “UKC is continuing to work on the report from the public consultation into the masterplan and aims to make it available publicly in the new year.

“The university continues to meet with local residents, and the masterplan process will continue for the next 18 months.”

UKC is also putting together a “preferred set of more definite proposals” by looking at public feedback, which will go out to consultation in 2017.