Reculver is an historic settlement on the north coast of Kent with a rich history ranging from housing, a Roman Fort, Saxon Abbey and more recently a country park with static caravans. This dramatic site has seen huge coastline changes with the silting up of the Wantsum Channel (that separated the Isle of Thanet from Kent) and extensive shoreline erosion. There are still key physical fragments of cultural heritage such as the iconic landmark twin towers, a scheduled ancient monument. Parts of the park are also designated RAMSAR and SSSI sites and are used as an educational base for school and college groups. However, Reculver has suffered economically from the decline in traditional caravan holidays and the current sites and their associated facilities are a very poor quality counterpoint to the area’s natural assets.

Canterbury City Council, who own and manage the site with English Heritage, Kent Wildlife Trust and a group of local businesses, identified the need for a wide reaching masterplan to address diverse issues such as the future of the caravan parks and businesses, the protection and enhancement of heritage assets and the impacts of a recent shoreline management strategy.