This masterplan, which was submitted by Crest Nicholson, was approved at the Cabinet meeting of 7 June 2022.

You can download the St Peters Masterplan.

This masterplan, which was submitted by Crest Nicholson, was approved at the Cabinet meeting of 26 January 2021.

You can download the West Chelmsford Masterplan.

The developer submitted an outline planning application for the site in August 2021, which includes:

• up to 880 new homes (all matters reserved except access)
• primary school with co-located early years and childcare nursery
• travelling showpersons site for five serviced plots
• sports facilities including a pavilion/community centre
• neighbourhood centre (including retail, community, healthcare, office and residential uses)
• landscaping and habitat creation
• public open space and play facilities
• roads and infrastructure
• a detailed scheme in the south east corner for Phase 1A for 177 houses, plus associated roads, parking and infrastructure (Landscaping reserved for Phase 1A)

You can view the planning application for 21/01545/OUT.

This masterplan, which was submitted by Hopkins Homes, was approved at the Cabinet meeting of 16 November 2021. 

You can download East Chelmsford (Manor Farm) Masterplan.

The site forms one of the four Strategic Growth Sites, which make up the East Chelmsford allocation in the new Local Plan. The other three Strategic Growth Sites 3b-3d, promoted by a separate developer, also have an approved masterplan.

The developers for Strategic Growth Site 3a (Hopkins Homes) and Strategic Growth Sites 3b-3d (Redrow Homes) submitted a joint planning application for a roundabout at the junction of Maldon Road and Sandford Mill Lane in October 2022. The purpose of the roundabout is to facilitate the delivery of Sites 3a, 3c and 3d.

You can view the application under reference 22/01955/FUL.

The developer for Hopkins Homes has also submitted (November 2022) a hybrid planning application for Site 3a Manor Farm for:

1. Full application for residential development of: 342 dwellings, including 126 affordable dwellings (Class C3); landscaping; local open space; highway infrastructure; pedestrian, and cycle routes; vehicular and cycle parking; drainage works; ground re-profiling: and works to provide services and utilities. Change of use of land from agriculture to provide a country park, with associated works including the laying out of a visitor car park and access road. Means of access to the site will be addressed by way of a five arm roundabout junction that provides access to Strategic Growth Sites 3a, 3c and 3d, which is the subject of a separate application for planning permission.

2. Outline application for a phased development comprising 18 self-build dwellings (Class C3) with all matters reserved, except access. Means of access to the site will be addressed by way of a five arm roundabout junction that provides access to Strategic Growth Sites 3a, 3c and 3d, which is the subject of a separate application for planning permission.

We are currently considering the Hopkins Homes application.

You can view the applications under 22/01732/FUL and 22/01732/OUT.

This masterplan, which was submitted by Redrow Homes, was approved at the Cabinet meeting of 8 June 2021.

The sites form three of the four Strategic Growth Sites, which make up the East Chelmsford allocation in the new Local Plan. The fourth Strategic Growth Site 3a, Manor Farm, is being developed by a separate site promoter.

You can download the East Chelmsford (Maldon Road) Masterplan.

The developer submitted a hybrid planning application for the sites in July 2021, which includes:

• (i) residential development including affordable housing provision, public open space, landscaping, drainage infrastructure and all associated ancillary development (full)
• (ii) up to 5,000 sqm of commercial floorspace, provision of day care nursery, serviced self-build plots and safeguarded land for extension to Sandon park and ride (outline with all matters reserved, except for means of access from Maldon Road and Molrams Lane)

The developer submitted applications under 21/01252/FUL and 21/01251/OUT in July 2021, but withdrew them in December 2021, following discussions with us.

Redrow Homes submitted a hybrid planning application (part full and part outline) in May 2022. This follows the withdrawal of the application in December 2021.

The development is for: 

1. residential development of 165 dwellings including affordable housing provision, public open space, landscaping, drainage, infrastructure and all associated ancillary development (full)
2. up to 5,000sq.m of commercial floorspace, provision of day care nursery, 9 serviced self-build plots and safeguarded land for extension to Sandon Park and Ride (outline with all matters reserved except for means of access from Maldon Road and Molrams Lane) 

We are currently considering the Redrow Homes application. 

You can view the applications under 22/00916/FUL and 22/00916/OUT.

The developers for Strategic Growth Site 3a (Hopkins Homes) and Strategic Growth Sites 3b-3d (Redrow Homes) submitted a joint planning application for a roundabout at the junction of Maldon Road and Sandford Mill Lane in October 2022. The purpose of the roundabout is to facilitate the delivery of Sites 3a, 3c and 3d.

You can view the application under reference 22/01955/FUL.

This masterplan, which was submitted by Bloor Homes, was approved at the Cabinet meeting of 8 September 2020, subject to conditions.

You can download the Broomfield Masterplan, which incorporates amendments in response to the conditions from Cabinet. 

The developer submitted planning applications for the site in December 2020 and April 2021, which include:

• residential development of up to 550 dwellings, local centre, open space and associated infrastructure
• formation of new link road between Woodhouse Lane and Broomfield Hospital

You can view the relevant applications under 20/02064/OUT and 21/00881/FUL.

Change to numbering

On 27 May 2020, we adopted the Chelmsford Local Plan (2013 to 2036). 

In the final version if the Local Plan, we had to change the numbering and formatting. This meant we needed to change how we refer to some of the allocation sites, including this site. It was known as Growth Site Policy 6, but it is now Growth Site Policy 8.

This masterplan, which was submitted by Countryside Properties, Essex County Council Property and Bellway/Speakman, was approved at the Cabinet meeting of 2 March 2021.

You can download the SWF Masterplan. 

Countryside application

Countryside Properties submitted a hybrid planning application (part full and part outline) for the site in October 2021. They later amended the description of the development in July 2022. The application is for the following:

1. Outline application with all matters reserved for residential development of:

• up to 1020 homes,
• up to 88 bedroom units of residential care accommodation (Class C2 or Class C3 use, including retirement living/sheltered housing, and/or extra care/housing-with-care/independent living and/or care home/nursing home use)
• up to 1,100 sq m (GEA) neighbourhood centre (Class E) including a multi-purpose community centre
• up to 1,200 (GEA) of business floorspace (Class E)
• a 2fe primary school and two 56 place early years facilities
• five serviced plots for travelling showpeople
• landscaping
• strategic and local open space and associated buildings and structures
• all associated highway infrastructure, pedestrian, cycle and bridleway routes (including partial extinguishment of Bridleway 25)
• vehicular and cycle parking
• drainage works
• ground reprofiling
• all associated ancillary works including services and utilities

2. Full application for:

• the principal means of vehicular access to the site
• the initial phase of on-site highway works
• strategic surface water attenuation basins

The Planning Committee heard the application on 7 February 2023. The Committee resolved to grant planning permission subject to conditions, the completion of a s.106 agreement and the lifting of a holding direction from the Secretary of State.

You can view the planning application for 21/01961/OUT from Countryside Properties.

Bellway Homes application

Bellway Homes submitted an outline planning application for the site in May 2022 for the following:

• outline application with all matters reserved (except for access) for up to 200 residential dwellings
• open space (including allotments, children's play facilities and sustainable drainage features) 
• pedestrian, cycle and bridleway routes
• vehicle accesses
• internal roads
• associated infrastructure 

We are currently considering the Bellway application.

You can view the planning application for 22/00311/OUT from Bellway Homes.

The consortium of developers has submitted its masterplan proposals for the Chelmsford Garden Community.

The site promoters submitted their masterplan proposals for a new development within Great Leighs, reference 22/00002/MAS in July 2022.

The broad location for growth is made up of the following Strategic Growth Sites:

• 7a, Great Leighs, Land at Moulsham Hall
• 7b, Great Leighs, Land East of London Road
• 7c, Great Leighs, Land North and South of Banters Lane
• 7d, Great Leighs, Land East of Main Road (which is already built out)

Consultation

The Local Plan classifies this as a Strategic Growth Site. This means we should approve the developer’s masterplan before they can make a formal planning application.

December 2022 update

The developers amended the masterplan following an initial period of consultation in July 2022.

You can now download the updated Great Leighs masterplan. You can also download a more detailed copy of the Framework Plan.

Some parts of these documents feature detailed information and are large in size. You may find it easier to download and view these documents on a desktop computer, rather than on a smartphone or tablet.

Once you have viewed the documents, you can make a comment via Public Access. 

After you have commented, you can click on the ‘Track’ button (at the top tight of the screen). You can then get updates about progress on the masterplan, and any future planning application for this development.

If you are using a phone or tablet, you can comment using our online form.

Chelmsford Policy Board considered the Masterplan at their 12 January 2023 meeting, and will consider the revised Masterplan at their 28 February 2023 meeting.

You can now download the updated Great Leighs masterplan and a more detailed copy of the new Framework Plan.