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

Strategic Growth Site Policy 8: North of Broomfield.

Land to the north of Woodhouse Lane and west of Blasford Hill, as shown on the Policies Map, is allocated for a high-quality landscape-led development 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 450 new homes of mixed size and type to include affordable housing.

Supporting on-site Development

  • Neighbourhood Centre;
  • Provision of a new stand-alone early years and childcare nursery located in the southern portion of the site.

Site Masterplanning Principles

Movement and Access

  • Main vehicular access to the site will be from Blasford Hill (B1008);
  • Provide a new vehicular access road to serve the development and provide access to Broomfield Hospital and Farleigh Hospice;
  • Provide pedestrian and cycle connections;
  • Provide a well-connected internal road layout which allows for bus priority measures.

Historic and Natural Environment

  • Conserve and where appropriate enhance the setting of the listed buildings on Blasford Hill and the non-designated assets Wood House, the Coach House and Wood House Lodge adjoining the site;
  • Protect and where appropriate enhance the setting of the nearby Scheduled Monument to the north of the site;
  • Mitigate the visual impact of the development;
  • Enhance the historic environment;
  • 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

  • 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;
  • 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;
  • Financial contributions to delivery of the Chelmsford North East Bypass, primary and secondary education, 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.