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

Strategic Growth Site Policy 7C: Great Leighs, Land North and South of Banters Lane.

Land to the north east of the Key Service Settlement of Great Leighs, as shown on the Policies Map, is allocated for a high-quality comprehensively-planned new sustainable extension to the settlement that maximises opportunities for sustainable travel. Development proposals will accord with a masterplan approved by the Council to provide:

Amount and Type of Development

  • Around 100 new homes of mixed size and type to include affordable housing.

Site Masterplanning Principles

Movement and Access

  • Main vehicular access to the site will be from Banters Lane or through Site 7d via Main Road;
  • Provide pedestrian and cycle connections;
  • Provide a well-connected internal road layout which allows for bus priority measures.

Historic and Natural Environment

  • Preserve and where appropriate enhance the setting of the listed buildings at Gubbions Hall, Blue Barnes Farm, The Cottage, Jasmine Cottage, Millers Cottage and Rose Cottage;
  • Protect and where appropriate enhance the Gubbions Hall Scheduled Monument and its setting;
  • Protect and enhance the River Ter Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the south of the site ensuring any new development provides any required mitigation measures;
  • Mitigate the visual impact of the development;
  • Create a network of green infrastructure;
  • Provide suitable SuDS and flood risk management;
  • Ensure appropriate habitat mitigation and creation is provided;
  • Undertake a Minerals Resource Assessment;
  • Undertake an Archaeological Assessment.

Design and Layout

  • Provide a coherent network of public open space, formal and informal sport, recreation and community space within the site.

Site Infrastructure Requirements

  • Appropriate improvements to the local and strategic road network as required by the Local Highways Authority;
  • Appropriate measures to promote and enhance sustainable modes of transport;
  • New and enhanced cycle routes, footpaths, Public Rights of Way and bridleways where appropriate;
  • Provide, or make financial contributions to, new or enhanced sport, leisure and recreation facilities;
  • Ensure appropriate waste water treatment provision and disposal is available in time to serve the site, including any associated sewer connections and any required mitigation within the sewerage network;
  • Financial contributions to delivery of the Chelmsford North East Bypass, early years and childcare, primary and secondary education as required by the Local Education Authority, and community facilities such as healthcare provision as required by the NHS/CCG;
  • 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.