North Kent Place Plans underway

18 August 2025

Potential changes in local governance impacts how well we can predict the future of our urban spaces. To help prepare for this, we’ve been commissioned by Canterbury City Council to lead the development of a series of new Place Strategies for Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay. These strategies will be shaped by an extensive programme of community and stakeholder engagement events taking place across summer and autumn 2025.

We Made That will lead a team which also includes PRD providing expertise in socio-economic development and governance. The Town Centre Strategies will set out vision plans for each urban centre, identifying clear, deliverable actions to support regeneration, investment and growth. Aligning with the council’s emerging Local Plan, they will prepare the district for future changes in governance, including potential local government reorganisation.

This work builds on a strong foundation of public consultation and strategic planning, including the successful Levelling Up Fund bid for Canterbury and previous engagement on the Local Plan. The strategies will draw together existing data, community insight, and policy alignment to ensure each place is well-positioned for future funding and development opportunities.

The team brings a proven track record of delivering place-based strategies across the South East, including in Folkestone, Ramsgate and Maidstone.

“Our team is excited to start work on Town Centre Strategies for Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable. We will engage with a wide range of stakeholders including residents, businesses and cultural groups to develop proposals that are meaningfully informed by local perspectives. The strategies will celebrate the district’s unique qualities and significant assets to identify quick win projects and set a trajectory for a prosperous future over the next few years.”

Holly Lewis, Co-Founding Partner at We Made That

The project is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will run through to early 2026. Residents, businesses and community groups will be invited to take part in a range of engagement activities, including drop-in events, focus groups and digital workshops.

“All three of our urban centres deserve a clear plan for how the council can plan for their economic success over the long term - a clear vision which outlasts political administrations, that residents support and investors use to bring new jobs our area.

This project is evidence the aspirations we have for Herne Bay and Whitstable are just as large as those we have for Canterbury.

No town is being left behind and we look forward to working with residents to dream big and come up with plans that match the ambition residents have for where they call home.”

Chris Cornell, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Inclusion, Coastal Towns Champion, Canterbury City Council