Canterbury City welcome plans for a new stadium at Merton Park development in the city

CANTERBURY CITY have received some exciting news from their Council with regards to plans for a new stadium.

Within the Council’s Draft Local Plan, which proposes some 13,000 new homes and facilities constructed across the whole district, there is also a commitment to a new sports hub to be built in the City.

One part of the Draft Local Plan, site C6, Merton Park, on the south of the city, is allocated for a comprehensive mixed-use development.

There are plans for 2,075 homes across the site, together with provision for a new hospital extension, primary school, park and ride facility, community hub and a new sports hub of approximately 6.7 acres.

“This will include updated rugby club facilities and a new football stadia with a minimum FA graded ground of category C, Step Three, for use by our much beleaguered Canterbury City Football Club,” added a club statement.

The club’s major sponsor, Quinn Estates, is the developer of this part of the Draft Local Plan.

The statement added: “Doubtless there will be a long struggle to get the plan into fruition and we will hear more about this development down the line but dear City supporters, this is indeed a very welcome start!”

The club have not yet stated whom will be in charge of team affairs for the local derby at Whitstable Town on Tuesday, 27 December (15:00), after Keith Bird’s decision to step down as manager on Thursday.

Canterbury City are rooted to the foot of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up 12 points from their 18 league games.

The club are four points adrift of safety going into the halfway point of the campaign.

Visit Canterbury City’s website: www.canterburycityfc.co.uk