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

Strategic Growth Site 1E: Civic Centre Land, Fairfield Road.

Chelmsford Civic Centre land, as shown on the Policies Map, is suitable for city-scale residential development, with supporting commercial uses.

Amount and Type of Development

  • Around 100 new homes of a mixed size and type including affordable housing.

Supporting on-site Development

  • Parking for residential elements to be provided separately from public parking provision;
  • Integration of flexible workspace facilities.

Site Development Principles

Movement and Access

  • Development that maximises opportunities for sustainable travel;
  • Retained vehicular access from Coval Lane/Fairfield Road for Civic Centre operational uses, with potential access from Viaduct Road for residential uses;
  • Provide pedestrian and cycle connections.

Historic and Natural Environment

  • Preserve and where appropriate enhance the setting of the Grade II listed War Memorial, conserve and where appropriate enhance the setting of the locally listed Civic Centre entrance building, and preserve and enhance the character or appearance of the West End Conservation Area and its setting.

Design and Layout

  • Layout to provide appropriate street frontage to Marconi Plaza, Coval Lane and Viaduct Road;
  • Opportunity for landmark buildings;
  • Enhanced landscaping to the site’s boundary with Parkway;
  • Provide public art which contributes towards place creation.

Site Infrastructure Requirements

  • Appropriate mitigation, compensation and enhancements to the local and strategic road network as required by the Local Highways 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;
  • Financial contribution 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, please visit Chelmsford’s Local Plan here.