CHELMSFORD GARDEN COMMUNITY

PROJECT

We have supported Ptarmigan Land in its hybrid planning application for the development of Zone 1 of the Chelmsford Garden Community (CGC), which comprises up to 1,500 homes and 44,000sqm Class E, F1 and F2 floorspace, along with a 2-form entry primary school, a mobility hub, the ‘Discovery Park’ open space and other associated facilities. Land is also safeguarded for the expansion of the Chelmer Valley Park and Ride

APPROACH

We prepared a detailed Transport Assessment, Travel Plan and Environmental Statement (Transport Chapter) to support the hybrid planning application, which included the preparation of preliminary access arrangements that included a new three arm roundabout access junction with Essex Regiment Way and adjustments to the existing Pratt’s Farm Roundabout to provide a new fifth arm accessing the site. Further to detailed strategic modelling work undertaken by Essex County Council using its VISUM model, we subsequently identified and prepared a number of highway improvement schemes at roundabouts along the Essex Regiment Way corridor.

A key aspect of the CGC is a target to achieve 60% of all trips originating within the CGC by sustainable and non-car modes of transport. To support this, an overarching Travel Plan strategy was developed through the Development Framework Document (DFD) and masterplan process and this includes the provision of a detailed bus strategy, with a number of new and extended bus services proposed, site specific car parking standards at lower levels than the standard residential parking standards currently adopted by ECC, a network of active travel infrastructure across the site and connecting to key destinations off-site, including the Essex Regiment Way Sustainable Travel Corridor, that will provide an attractive commuter cycle route between the CGC and Chelmsford City Centre.

OUTCOME

A hybrid planning application for Zone 1 of the CGC was submitted in 2022, and obtained a Resolution to Grant, subject to completion of a S106 agreement, in December 2025.