Transport improvements support major step forward for garden community
Essex County Council says road and rail improvements are vital as thousands more homes are built as part of the Chelmsford Garden Community.
Following Chelmsford City Council’s planning committee approval of two new housing zones and a major new road for the development on Monday evening, the county council has hailed it as a prime example of how an ‘infrastructure first’ approach accelerates housing delivery.
Essex County Council has supported economic growth and high-quality housing development in Garden Communities for almost a decade. In Chelmsford, the council secured £218 million Homes England investment for new infrastructure. This includes Beaulieu Park Station, which opened in October, and the first section of the Chelmsford North East Bypass, which is currently being constructed.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, described the Garden Community as one of the most significant housing developments in the country.
She emphasised the importance of putting new infrastructure in place ahead of new housing. This helps ensure residents are well connected to opportunities in Essex and to mitigate the impacts on existing residents.
This is consistent with the council’s strategy of growing Essex through master-planned Garden Communities, places with high quality facilities and amenities, while protecting the best of the county.
The Government cancelled plans to widen the A12 between Junctions 19 and 25 this summer. Essex County Council is now drawing up initial proposals to increase capacity and improve safety at Junction 19 (Boreham Interchange) and the nearby Beaulieu Park Station roundabout to support new housing.
Councillor McKinlay said: “With approval now granted for 2,750 new homes, it is vital that the right infrastructure is also planned for, developed and delivered. The government’s decision to withdraw funding for the A12 was hugely disappointing and showed a lack of joined up thinking.
“I said at the time it was unacceptable and that we would continue to fight for the investment needed to keep our county moving. I’m pleased that this pressure has started to pay off.
“Essex County Council has drawn up alternative proposals that focus on improvements at Junction 19 and the nearby roundabout at Beaulieu Park Station and is prepared to invest up to £8 million towards the improvements, alongside funding from partners, such as National Highways, central Government and local developers, which remain under discussion.
“Chelmsford City Council’s planning decision also approved developers to deliver the east-west Northern Radial Distributor Road. Once complete and open to the public, this means the first section of the Chelmsford North-East Bypass will improve access from the north of Chelmsford to Beaulieu Park Station and A12 Junction 19.
"As a result, the Chelmsford Garden Community is a great example of how planning should be done, with infrastructure delivered ahead of new housing so new residents are well connected to opportunities in Essex. The county council remains committed to this principle of ‘infrastructure first’, and the agreement to invest in much needed improvements to the road network further supports this.”