A CONSULTATION is set to be launched which will help decide the future of housing in Chelmsford, with the council needing to build 14,000 homes.

City councillors are today (Thursday) expected to sign off the first of three public consultations about where homes, schools, shops and traveller sites could, and should, be built in and around the city under its local plan.

If all goes to plan, Chelmsford Council hope to adopt its plan, which isagovernment requirement regarding the future of housing across the country, by the spring of 2018.

Councillors will discuss the 154 sites which have been put forward by land owners and tenants before the public get their say in a nine-week consultation which will run from November 19 until the end of January.

It’s anticipated council officers will come back with preferred housing options by next summer when another consultation is set to take place to further trim the proposed options.

The consultation will focus on the areas people think would be best served by developments.

Under government rules, local authorities must have a constant five-year land supply available for housing. Chelmsford’s current plan runs out in 2021.

Within some of the options put forward, it’s anticipated thousands of homes could be built at Boreham Airfield, Warren Farm to the west of the city, and Hammonds Farm to the east.

Council leader Roy Whitehead was keen to stress that the consultation does not mean developments will definitely take place in certain areas.

He said: “It’s a consultation on areas where houses could go.

"There are no specific allocated sites.

“All we’re saying is development could take part in this area, but there’s a long way to go.”

Mr Whitehead added: “At the moment we want people to come back and say why we should or shouldn’t build in certain areas.

“We’ve put various locations around to ask if development should take place there.

“For example, in South Woodham Ferrers, residents may not want to see any homes built, but until we do this consultation we’ll never know.”

Jennifer Randall, 55, who lives in Chelmsford, is very keen to get involved.

She said: “I’ll be having my say, and I would encourage others to do the same.

“It’s obvious there are some places which could be developed in and around the city, but we need to make sure certain areas are not over developed as this could ruin the area altogether.

“I’m obviously keen to keep our green spaces. Brownfield sites should be targeted.”

 

So what happens next? 

Nov 2015 to Jan 2016 Consult on issues and look at the options

Summer 2016 Consult on preferred options

Spring 2017 Council to consult on pre-submission of plan

Summer 2017 Submit local plan and representations to the Secretary of State

Winter 2017 Independent examination of plan

Spring 2018 Adopt final plan

 

Having a local plan is 'essential' adds Mr Whitehead

HAVING a local plan is “essential” to avoid Chelmsford falling foul like Maldon District Council has, says the city’s council leader.

Maldon’s plan for more than 4,000 homes was scrapped earlier this year after a government inspector found it didn’t include enough sites for travellers.

The council has since said the lack of plan means they will now find it difficult to manage and control future housing developments.

Mr Whitehead said: “It’s essential to have a plan.

“We don’t want to have a situation like in Maldon where developers can come in and put in a planning application for anywhere with no appeal.

"But with a plan in place its shows where developers can and can’t go.

“If you have a plan that is agreed, it allows development to take place and helps safeguard parts of Chelmsford.

“We believe we’re doing it in a way where every resident can come back to us with suggestions.

“We will read and look at every comment.”

 

View the list of possible sites here: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/call-for-sites