Policy information sourced from the Chelmsford Local Plan 2013-2036 PDF.

S9: Infrastructure Requirements.

Priorities for infrastructure provision or improvements are also contained within relevant Strategic Policies and Site Allocation policies.

New development must be supported by the provision of infrastructure, services and facilities that are identified as necessary to serve its needs.

Transport and Highways

New development must be supported by sustainable means of transport to serve its need including walking, cycling and public transport modes. New highway infrastructure should help reduce congestion, link new development and provide connections in the strategic road network. These include but are not limited to:

  • New Rail Station;
  • Chelmsford North East Bypass;
  • An additional new Radial Distributor Road 2 in North East Chelmsford;
  • New access road to Broomfield Hospital;
  • Safeguard land for the expansion of Chelmer Valley and Sandon Park and Ride sites;
  • Additional Park and Ride facilities will be provided in West Chelmsford and North East Chelmsford within the broad locations shown on the Policies Map;
  • Improvements to the Army and Navy Junction Improvements to A130 (Essex Regiment Way) and A131 Junction improvements on the A12 and other main roads to reduce congestion;
  • Capacity improvements to the A132 between the Rettendon Turnpike and South Woodham Ferrers, including necessary junction improvements to be brought forward as early as possible in tandem with the delivery of development to mitigate its impact;
  • Multi-user crossings across the B1012 in South Woodham Ferrers which may include a bridge or underpass;
  • New and improved cycling and walking routes both within development sites and to provide connections to centres and hubs of activity such as transport nodes, City, Town and Neighbourhood Centres, strategic areas of recreation and employment areas;
  • Bus Priority schemes and rapid transit measures Improvements to inter-urban public transport;
  • Transport links between new neighbourhoods and Chelmsford City Centre and employment areas’
  • Improved road infrastructure aimed at reducing congestion and providing more reliable journey times.

Flood Risk Management

New development must be safe from all types of flooding and suitable strategic and site level measures will need to provide appropriate flood risk management. These include but are not limited to:

  • Strategic flood defence measures on the Rivers Can and Wid to protect existing development in Chelmsford City Centre;
  • Local flood mitigation measures within or as part of development sites including the use of SuDS.

Community Facilities

Infrastructure necessary to support new development must provide a range of community infrastructure to ensure that it is served by the essential education, health and community services and facilities. These include but are not limited to:

  • Early years, primary and secondary, and tertiary education provision;
  • Essential primary, acute and community healthcare provision;
  • Health and wellbeing facilities and measures Sport, leisure and recreational facilities;
  • Community buildings and space;
  • Cultural facilities and public art;
  • Emergency services infrastructure;
  • Municipal waste/recycling facilities.

Green Infrastructure and Natural Environment

Infrastructure necessary to support new development must provide or contribute towards ensuring a range of green and natural infrastructure, net gain in biodiversity and public realm improvements. These include but are not limited to:

  • Provision of a wide range of open space within development sites to meet amenity, recreational and functional needs;
  • To contribute towards a multifunctional network of green infrastructure and to enhance biodiversity;
  • Provision of new public realm and enhancements at key centres of activity;
  • Contributions towards recreation disturbance avoidance and mitigation measures for European designated sites as identified in the Essex Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy.

Historic Environment

Infrastructure necessary to support new development must seek to preserve or enhance the historic environment and mitigate any adverse impacts on nearby heritage assets and their settings.

Utilities

Infrastructure necessary to support new development must include appropriate utility infrastructure. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Utility infrastructure including electricity and gas distribution and supply, water supply, foul drainage and waste water treatment, telecommunications and superfast broadband;
  • Opportunities for appropriate renewable, low carbon or district-scale energy production.

For more information, please visit Chelmsford’s Local Plan here.