A new country park as big as 40 football pitches is set to be approved, along with plans for 55 affordable homes. The plan involves 55 affordable homes on land located west of the Fox and Raven Pub south of Chelmer Village Way and the transfer of around 30 hectares of land adjacent to the River Chelmer.
The developers behind the plan, Stonebond and Countryside Properties, say the transfer of the land—equivalent to around 40 football pitches—will help the council realise its objective of providing a country park on both sides of the River Chelmer to the east of the city centre.
The land proposed for the development of a mix of flats, duplexes, and three—and four-bedroom homes is a 1.67-hectare area of undeveloped land immediately west of the Fox and Raven pub, south of Chelmer Way.
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A statement from council officers, who will present the plans to councillors at a meeting on January 21, said: “The proposal would significantly boost affordable housing supply. The benefits and harm of the proposal have been considered against the relevant national and local plan policies.
“As set out in the weighted balance, it is considered that the public benefits of the scheme greatly outweigh the harm caused, including harm to landscape and heritage, and that in this site-specific circumstance, the material considerations of the proposal justify a departure from the development plan.”
A statement from the developer said: “The transfer of the land into public ownership offers the opportunity for a substantial country park to be formed in the eastern part of the city.
“Such a country park would be close to the existing residents of Springfield, Chelmer Village and Great Baddow and also to the new developments in Chelmer Waterside.
“It also offers the opportunity for significantly enhanced access and additional walking and cycle routes, accompanied with rest stops, to promote leisure and recreation and the enjoyment of the country park.
“In addition, it offers the opportunity to create enhanced walking and cycle links between the city centre and Sandford Mill, which has the potential to be a very high quality attraction.
“Overall, the country park offers an opportunity for the council to realise its ambition to create a substantial new country park to the east of the city, enhance sustainable travel links through this green corridor into and out of the city centre, support the regeneration of Sandford Mill and enhance recreational access for residents.”