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

Strategic Growth Site 1C: Former Royal Mail Premises, Victoria Road.

Land at the former Royal Mail premises in Victoria Road, as shown on the Policies Map, has potential for high quality residential development.

Amount and Type of Development

  • Around 150 new homes of a mixed size and type including affordable housing;
  • Provision of a stand-alone early years and childcare nursery.

Site Development Principles

Movement and Access

  • Development that maximises opportunities for sustainable travel;
  • Main vehicle access will be from Regina Road or Victoria Road, incorporating improvements at the Regina Road/Victoria Road junction as required by the Local Highways Authority;
  • Widening of public footway along Victoria Road (minimum 3.5m);
  • Provide pedestrian and cycle connections Provide a well connected internal road layout.

Design and Layout

  • Integration of flexible workspace facilities;
  • Effective measures to reduce the impact of the adjoining railway line on the amenity of residential development;
  • Provide public art which contributes towards place creation;
  • Design of open spaces and streets to incorporate adequate tree planting and other green infrastructure, natural flood risk and surface water management measures.

Site Infrastructure Requirements

  • Land (circa 0.13 hectares) for a stand-alone early years and childcare nursery (Use Class D1) and the total cost of physical scheme provision with delivery through the Local Education Authority;
  • Financial contributions to primary and secondary education provision, and community facilities including healthcare provision as required by the NHS/CCG;
  • Provide, or make financial contributions to, new or enhanced sport, leisure and recreation facilities;
  • Provide or make financial contributions to facilitate, sustain and enhance car club facilities for scheme occupiers;
  • 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, including links to the Policies Map, please visit Chelmsford’s Local Plan here.