Countryside Properties and development partner L&Q have revised their outline planning application to Chelmsford Borough Council for the development of a major £1bn urban extension in North East Chelmsford
The revisions follow the adoption in July 2011 of the North Chelmsford Area Action Plan. The new neighbourhood includes an extension to the existing residential area of Beaulieu Park of up to 3,600 new homes and includes a site for a new railway station on the East Anglian main line.
The proposals also include up to 620,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, incorporating a business park, which could create 3,500 jobs.
Provision is also being made for substantial community infrastructure with new primary schools, a secondary school, open space, and new neighbourhood centres including shops, health and community facilities.
The new neighbourhood is planned to create a sustainable community on the 604-acre site between the A131 and the A12. The scheme incorporates a new relief road, safeguards provision for a North East Chelmsford bypass, and will make improvements to increase capacity at the Boreham Interchange. The new neighbourhood will also be connected to the town centre by a high quality bus service.
The railway station, which has widespread support from the rail industry and which includes localised widening to provide four rail tracks to improve the overall efficiency of the London-Norwich rail line, is also subject to a revised planning application.
Roger Milne
19 January 2012
