A NEW town in the north of the city, which will see up to 3,600 new homes built, is to benefit from a share of £1billion of government money.

The development, known as Beaulieu, will eventually see the homes built between the A130 and A12, as well as shops and leisure facilities.

Beaulieu will be one of 36 large scale developments across the country that will receive the funding, designed to accelerate the building of 200,000 new homes.

Beaulieu, which is being built by developer Countryside Zest, will provide a new relief road connecting it with the A12 and the site for a new railway station on the East Anglian main line.

A spokesman for Chelmsford Council said they welcomed the funding from government.

He added: “This will greatly improve the transport and travel opportunities for new and existing residents, and is all in accordance with the council’s plans for north east Chelmsford. In short, it is great news.”