A housing scheme at South Woodham Ferrers could bring in more than £6 million in investment for the area and include new allotments and large areas of open space.
Bellway Strategic Land’s outline application for 200 homes on a site north of South Woodham Ferrers was approved by Chelmsford City Council’s planning committee in April, subject to a planning agreement being finalised.
image004.pngMore than half the 44-acre site, which Bellway is calling Willow Grove Meadows, would be earmarked to create more than 24 acres of public open space.
Part of this would be for allotments and these would be handed over to the city or town council to manage and allocate plots to residents. The rest would be open space and an equipped play area.
Bellway Strategic Land Director (South) Ben Stacey said: “Our proposals for this site would bring enormous benefits for the area, so it’s great news that the city council’s planning committee has approved this outline planning application.
“As well as supplying new homes, the proposal is backed up with a significant amount of investment in infrastructure and services, and this will benefit the whole area, not just the people living in the new development.
“Our plans also include a phenomenal amount of open space, including land for allotments, which would make for a very green and spacious look. The development would bring a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain, with the installation of bat and bird boxes, log piles and wildflower planting to create new habitats for wildlife.”
The scheme would supply 35 per cent affordable housing available for rent or shared ownership.
Money to be handed over in developer contributions would amount to more than £6 million. This would be made up of funds in excess of £3 million as part of the planning agreement – including £2.7 million for education, plus further donations for healthcare, specialist residential accommodation and offside highways – and £3.4 million paid in Community Infrastructure Levy.
The properties would be part of a wider neighbourhood that is expected to bring a total of 1,220 homes to the area.
To find out more about Bellway Strategic Land, visit www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk.
