The Completion Phase of the sustainable retirement community development, Burnham Waters, was approved by Maldon District Council on Thursday 27th October. With all phases now approved and the development well underway, Burnham-on-Crouch and its surrounding area is set to benefit from Burnham Waters’ many facilities and 120+ subsequent job opportunities, including state-of-the-art medical care, shops, and a fitness centre. Furthermore, as sales of these homes will be prioritised to members of the local community, Burnham Waters will help to fulfil local housing needs for new dwellings whilst also creating much-needed churn in the existing housing market.
A few members of the local community have expressed concerns about the future of Burnham Waters, fearing it may be unsustainable. Thankfully, this is not the case. Burnham Waters has been carefully designed to fulfil genuine housing needs within Maldon district, enhance the area to the benefit of nearby residents, and protect and considerably enhance wildlife and ecology within the site.
Discussing the misconceptions currently facing Burnham Waters, Project Director, Ian Holloway states:
‘Those concerned with the realities of Burnham Waters will be relieved to understand our motivations behind this development and its many benefits. We have sought consultation from numerous experts who have worked passionately to ensure this development enhances local ecology, whilst being positively landscaped and fully sustainable.
Any accusations of harm to the surrounding landscape and ecology are unfounded; as protecting and enhancing the area and its wildlife for of all residents to enjoy is one of our principal objectives. The most recent ecology and biodiversity reports for Completion Phase demonstrates a net gain of 95.7% in ecological value terms by area when compared with the existing farmland, which is in excess of the national 10%, soon to be introduced in new legislation, by a considerable amount.’
We would encourage everyone to read our submitted technical reports and assessments, which are publicly available on Maldon District Council’s website and underpin Burnham Waters commitment to being an environmentally driven developer’.
The development overall, and particularly the Completion Phase, are at a very low density: approximately one third of that built by national house builders. This not only allows for the creation of a beautiful place to live, but also the opportunity to landscape the area for positive ecological benefits and restore ancient hedgerows, as well as create new ones.
The retirement community, when complete, will deliver 601 homes of a type, mix, and tenure that specifically meets the needs set out in Maldon District Council’s Local Housing Needs Assessment. These properties will also be fully wheelchair compliant, meaning every dwelling is purposefully designed to accommodate persons with long-term health problems or disabilities – a need also reflected in the council’s Local Housing Needs Assessment.
All bungalows and apartments will be set within landscaped grounds for maintenance free living, with pedestrian paths and a new 9-hectare public park. The park, managed and maintained by Burnham Waters, will be gifted to Maldon District Council in perpetuity for public use. A bridleway, walking paths, children’s play equipment, and interpretation boards will also be installed, to provide visitors with information and direction to encourage the protection of ecology and direct residents away from the sensitive conservation sites along the estuary.
Extensive surveys of existing trees and ecology has been undertaken, and the development has been amended specifically to accommodate existing wildlife. Proposed roads and dwellings have, for example, been moved in order to avoid existing ecological features and trees. All existing hedgerows and trees are to be retained, with the exception of very small losses associated with new roads and footpaths transiting them. There is a considerable increase in the amount of native planting planned, including trees and shrubs, grasslands, and the creation of ponds; all generating new habitats and securing a net biodiversity gain (95.7% as mentioned above). In fact, Burnham Waters Ltd will be spending in excess of £400,000 on ecological and environmental improvements in the first phase of the development alone.
With regards to the on-site medical centre, this will extend beyond the needs of Burnham Waters’ residents. Discussions with the NHS are ongoing and Burnham Waters Ltd will make significant contributions to health care services, as requested by service providers in any case.
In addition, a transport assessment undertaken in relation to the project’s Completion Phase demonstrates that the development will not harm traffic flows or highway safety. A developer contribution has been offered to Essex County Council and may be put towards pre-existing planned junction improvements to the B1010/B1021 junction to the east, or used to improve public transport infrastructure or services in the area. The development also includes a requirement to host 2x 12-seat electric minibuses to provide an additional, sustainable way for residents of the retirement community to reach Burnham-on-Crouch town centre and for staff working in the community to reach the site.
Burnham Waters Ltd are pleased to help address Maldon District’s desperate need for specialist housing, fulfilling clearly identified acute and growing local needs. The team are passionate about supporting the community and creating an environment that enhances the area, whilst providing residents with exceptional homes, facilities, and medical care. With members of the team behind Burnham Waters being inspired to create this development following their own relatives’ experiences with dementia and other illnesses, this is a meaningful and well-considered project.
