COUNCILLORS in Canterbury have been given short shrift after pleading with developers not to turn the city into “another Swindon”.

An inquiry is taking place on a proposal for a regional local plan, which would designate areas which could be developed in the coming years.

However, proposals to build 4,000 homes around Canterbury have drawn much criticism.

Developers, represented by Corinthian, making their case have used Swindon as an example of where building can broadly be done in a successful manner.

Earlier this year, the Swindon local plan was adopted and while there were some disagreements over details it was passed with cross-party support, needing only a few amendments.

But there has been a negative reaction from some in Canterbury at the suggestion from the developers.

Reported by Kent Online, Nick Eden-Green, Liberal Democrat councillor for the Wincheap ward, said: “Corinthian has told us of the successful delivery of houses in Swindon.

“I congratulate them. But sir, we are not Swindon and we don’t want to be another Swindon.

“Please, please, don’t let us be another Swindon.”

Malcolm Harris, of Langton and Nackington Residents Association, also said he was concerned by the comparisons to Swindon.

He said: “We get these visions of Swindon, but a lot of the estates there have unsold houses.

“Where are these 4,000 people coming from to buy these houses?

“I can see this going the same way as Swindon, where we get a half-empty housing estate.”

These claims though have been dismissed as inaccurate by council chiefs who say there are no half empty housing estates in the town.

They say Swindon has benefited from recent development and said Canterbury would be better off if it adopted the same attitude.

Councillor Toby Elliott (Con, Priory Vale), the cabinet member for strategic planning at Swindon Borough Council, said: “It’s quite defeatist that Canterbury doesn’t want to compete with Swindon, but we’re fine with that.

“Swindon’s economy is on the rise and we’ll continue to grow with 22,000 new houses for aspirational individuals and families.

“I can assure councillors in Canterbury that we have no empty housing estates here – house builders can’t construct the houses quick enough.

“We’ll happily keep accessing the New Homes Bonus and infrastructure funds – now totalling over £19.2m and £140m respectively – to fund much-needed services our residents.

“If Canterbury don’t want Corinthian land, we’ll happily have a chat with them.

“Swindon is open for business.”