Draft Canterbury District Local Plan: Regulation 19 consultation

Full Council approved the Regulation 19 stage consultation on the new Local Plan at its meeting on Wednesday 18 March.

Every single one of the comments we received during previous consultation exercises have been taken into account in preparing this final draft of the Local Plan.

At Regulation 19 stage, the Local Plan is published for comments, known as representations, on its soundness and legal compliance.

These are the matters on which the Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will later examine the Local Plan and reach a conclusion as to whether or not it can be recommended for adoption.

All comments received at this stage will be passed directly to the Planning Inspector who will then consider whether any changes are needed.

For more information on the Local Plan timetable, see the Local Development Scheme (March 2026).


Guidance for making representations

We have produced some guidance to explain how this is different to previous consultations under Regulation 18 stage, and to help you make your points clear for the Planning Inspector.

You can view the Statement of the Representations Procedure and our Submission Guidance.

The Planning Inspector may invite respondents to contribute further evidence at the Examination stage.

You’ll need to respond to this consultation if you wish to be eligible for this.


Consultation documents

You can read the Canterbury District Local Plan (Regulation 19) and view the associated Policies Map.

We’re consulting on the Draft Canterbury District Transport Strategy alongside the Local Plan. You can find out more about the Transport Strategy and how to respond to that consultation here.

We’ve published a range of technical evidence documents that help to explain the choices we’ve made in preparing the new Local Plan.

These documents are available to read here.


How to take part

We are accepting representations on the Canterbury District Local Plan (Regulation 19) between Monday 23 March and Monday 18 May 2026.

We’re also consulting on the Habitats Regulations Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal of the draft Local Plan and the Sustainability Appraisal of the Strategic Land Availability Assessment. These documents are available to read here.

Please give us your views by completing our survey by 5pm on Monday 18 May 2026.

Alternatively, you can:

  • write to Policy Team, Canterbury City Council, 14 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2UR.

If you would prefer to email or write in with your representations, please read our guidance first as this sets out what the Planning Inspector will be looking for.

Paper copies of the survey questionnaire are available on request. If you would like a copy, please email consultations@canterbury.gov.uk.

If you would like to see what you will be asked before starting the survey, you can view the questions.


Where to view printed copies of the local plan and evidence

Printed copies of the Canterbury District Local Plan (Regulation 19) and the supporting and technical evidence documents are also available to view at the following locations:

  • Canterbury City Council Offices, 14 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2UR (Mon – Fri: 10 am – 2 pm)

  • Whitstable Library, 31 Oxford Street, Whitstable CT5 1DB (Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri: 10 am – 5 pm; Thurs: 10 am – 6 pm; Sat & Sun: 10 am – 4 pm)

  • Herne Bay Library, 124 High St, Herne Bay CT6 5JY (Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri: 10 am – 5 pm; Thurs: 10 am – 6 pm; Sat: 10 am – 4 pm)

All responses must be submitted no later than 5pm on Monday 18 May 2026.


Need help or alternative formats?

  • Phone: 01227 862 000 (8.45 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday)

  • Write: Policy Team, Canterbury City Council, 14 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2UR.


What happens next

Representations will be analysed and will be submitted in full to the Secretary of State along with the Canterbury District Local Plan (Regulation 19) and supporting documents for Examination. We expect this to take place in September.

The Secretary of State will then appoint a Planning Inspector to run the Examination.

Take survey

Full Council approved the Regulation 19 stage consultation on the new Local Plan at its meeting on Wednesday 18 March.

Every single one of the comments we received during previous consultation exercises have been taken into account in preparing this final draft of the Local Plan.

At Regulation 19 stage, the Local Plan is published for comments, known as representations, on its soundness and legal compliance.

These are the matters on which the Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will later examine the Local Plan and reach a conclusion as to whether or not it can be recommended for adoption.

All comments received at this stage will be passed directly to the Planning Inspector who will then consider whether any changes are needed.

For more information on the Local Plan timetable, see the Local Development Scheme (March 2026).


Guidance for making representations

We have produced some guidance to explain how this is different to previous consultations under Regulation 18 stage, and to help you make your points clear for the Planning Inspector.

You can view the Statement of the Representations Procedure and our Submission Guidance.

The Planning Inspector may invite respondents to contribute further evidence at the Examination stage.

You’ll need to respond to this consultation if you wish to be eligible for this.


Consultation documents

You can read the Canterbury District Local Plan (Regulation 19) and view the associated Policies Map.

We’re consulting on the Draft Canterbury District Transport Strategy alongside the Local Plan. You can find out more about the Transport Strategy and how to respond to that consultation here.

We’ve published a range of technical evidence documents that help to explain the choices we’ve made in preparing the new Local Plan.

These documents are available to read here.


How to take part

We are accepting representations on the Canterbury District Local Plan (Regulation 19) between Monday 23 March and Monday 18 May 2026.

We’re also consulting on the Habitats Regulations Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal of the draft Local Plan and the Sustainability Appraisal of the Strategic Land Availability Assessment. These documents are available to read here.

Please give us your views by completing our survey by 5pm on Monday 18 May 2026.

Alternatively, you can:

  • write to Policy Team, Canterbury City Council, 14 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2UR.

If you would prefer to email or write in with your representations, please read our guidance first as this sets out what the Planning Inspector will be looking for.

Paper copies of the survey questionnaire are available on request. If you would like a copy, please email consultations@canterbury.gov.uk.

If you would like to see what you will be asked before starting the survey, you can view the questions.


Where to view printed copies of the local plan and evidence

Printed copies of the Canterbury District Local Plan (Regulation 19) and the supporting and technical evidence documents are also available to view at the following locations:

  • Canterbury City Council Offices, 14 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2UR (Mon – Fri: 10 am – 2 pm)

  • Whitstable Library, 31 Oxford Street, Whitstable CT5 1DB (Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri: 10 am – 5 pm; Thurs: 10 am – 6 pm; Sat & Sun: 10 am – 4 pm)

  • Herne Bay Library, 124 High St, Herne Bay CT6 5JY (Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri: 10 am – 5 pm; Thurs: 10 am – 6 pm; Sat: 10 am – 4 pm)

All responses must be submitted no later than 5pm on Monday 18 May 2026.


Need help or alternative formats?

  • Phone: 01227 862 000 (8.45 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday)

  • Write: Policy Team, Canterbury City Council, 14 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2UR.


What happens next

Representations will be analysed and will be submitted in full to the Secretary of State along with the Canterbury District Local Plan (Regulation 19) and supporting documents for Examination. We expect this to take place in September.

The Secretary of State will then appoint a Planning Inspector to run the Examination.

Take survey