The Ministry of Defence will donate a new public park to the city which will have commanding views of Canterbury Cathedral, the Gazette can reveal.

Officials have unveiled plans to transform the Howe Barracks site to include the new open space as well as a link road to ease city centre congestion.

Redevelopment of the site on St Martin’s Hill forms part of the Local Plan – the city council’s blueprint for future housing and transport growth across the district.

It would see up to 500 homes built on land overlooking the city centre, and the creation of a new road between St Martin’s Hill and Military Road.

Army land owners have drafted in architects to draw up outline proposals and an application has been lodged with Canterbury City Council.

A government inspector is currently examining the local authority’s blueprint, and attention last week focused on various sites which together could accommodate 15,600 homes.

As the spotlight fell on the Howe Barracks site, the MOD announced plans to donate a public space with far-reaching views over the city.

Nora Galley, of MOD agents Now Planning, said the Ministry of Defence would also pass on three buildings for community use including a gym and a chapel.

Land adjoining the three buildings will include a community orchard on the former parade ground, community allotments within a walled garden, and a “green” in front of the gym.

The 67-acre site would see up to 500 houses built, including up to 133 affordable units.

Proposals for the site also include a 3G sports pitch and two further mini-pitches.

In a statement sent to the Gazette, agents for the MOD said: “The endowment of assets is intended as a legacy to the people of Canterbury – marking the more than 200 years of the military’s history in the city.

“It is also intended that Howe Park and the orchard in particular are designed with appropriate recognition of that history.”

Speaking at the public inquiry into the Local Plan, Nick Eden-Green, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Wincheap ward, said the proposals for redevelopment of the site were broadly welcome.

“That support is qualified by, firstly, the need for assurances about the nature of the link road – that it is a genuine offer as a relief road.

“And secondly, that the management of the open space is properly managed and that it is open to all.”

Ms Galley, for the MOD, assured the inspector that the offer of a relief road was genuine.

She added: “I can assure everyone that all those assets will be properly managed within the site for the community as a whole. It’s for everyone.”