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

Strategic Growth Site 1B: Former St Peter’s College, Fox Crescent.

Land off Langton Avenue, formerly St Peter’s College and playing fields, as shown on the Policies Map, is allocated for residential, specialist education uses, and community uses. Development proposals will accord with a masterplan approved by the Council to provide:

Amount and Type of Development

  • Around 185 new homes of a mixed size and type including affordable housing;
  • Two new special schools.

Supporting on-site Development

  • Provision of linked publicly accessible open spaces, in line with local standards, for intensive recreation activities for sport, educational and diverse community use;
  • Equipped play provision for children and teenage users;
  • New or relocated community facilities to meet evidenced needs;
  • Integration of flexible workspace facilities.

Site Masterplanning Principles

Movement and Access

  • Development that maximises opportunities for sustainable travel;
  • Main vehicle access will be from Fox Crescent;
  • Provide pedestrian and cycle connections New/improved vehicle access into the site.

Design and Layout

  • Adapt existing buildings for new uses where practicable, and reuse key elements that contribute to character;
  • Adaptable building types which offer opportunities for small workspaces;
  • Landscape focused on a public open space network;
  • Retention and enhancement of existing natural features to create distinctive landscape character.

Site Infrastructure Requirements

  • Appropriate mitigation, compensation and enhancements to the local and strategic road network as required by the Local Highways Authority;
  • Land (circa 2.5 hectares) for two new special schools (Use Class D1) in line with Local Education Authority requirements;
  • Financial contributions to early years, primary and secondary education provision, and community facilities including healthcare provision as required by the NHS/CCG;
  • Provide rationalised/retained formal/informal open space;
  • Provide a play area with particular emphasis on children and teenage users;
  • Provide, or make financial contributions to new or enhanced sport, leisure and recreation facilities;
  • Where appropriate, contributions from developments will be secured towards mitigation measures identified in the Essex Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) which will be completed by the time the Local Plan is adopted. Prior to RAMS completion, the authority will seek contributions, where appropriate, from proposed residential development to deliver all measures identified (including strategic measures) through project level HRAs, or otherwise, to mitigate any recreational disturbance impacts in compliance with the Habitats Regulations and Habitats Directive.

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