The ambitious masterplan for a vast ‘garden suburb’ of 4,000 homes in south Canterbury is today revealed.

Dubbed Mountfield Park, the developer’s vision is the city’s single largest housing scheme of all time – it would see the city expand by an area four times the size of the historic centre.

Developer Corinthian Land’s plan shows a huge residential scheme on 560 acres of green space – stretching from Canterbury’s southern edge as far as the village of Bridge.

Alongside thousands of contemporary homes, Mountfield Park will offer shops, office space, sports pitches, two primary schools and a new site for Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

A system of roads has been drawn up, served by a park and ride scheme and with direct access to the A2 via a new interchange.

Corinthian today begins consultation with local community groups and has offered the Gazette an exclusive glimpse.

It will not be formally revealed to the public until next month.

[Click the link below to see the masterplan]

The plans show the possible sites of 4,000 homes, of which 30% will be affordable. It shows a new public square, green spaces including allotments, as well as retail and office areas.

John Trotter, development director for Corinthian Land, said: “The development is being designed according to garden city principles, and with sensitivity towards the historic city.

“It will deliver important employment opportunities to help promote the economic growth of the city, and it will provide much needed housing, including affordable homes, as well as important community and transport infrastructure.”

Mountfield Park is presently farmland, with small orchards and a park and ride.

Bisected by the New Dover Road, it begins from the Barton housing area, spreading south as far as the A2 and west to Nackington Road.

Canterbury City Council has earmarked sites across the district to accommodate 15,600 new homes over the next 15 years, of which Mountfield Park will be by far the largest.

Planning a phased development, Corinthian intends to submit a hybrid planning application in early 2016.

Architect Proctor & Matthews has been commissioned to design the first phase. Should planning permission be granted, Corinthian aims to begin initial site work in January 2017, with the first 100 homes completed by March 2018.

After the first year, the site is expected to deliver around 300 completions per year up to 2031.