Beaulieu Park station wins national award for infrastructure planning
Beaulieu Park station has won the Infrastructure Planning award at The Planning Awards, with judges praising the project for generating “long-term social value”.
The new station was brought forward by Chelmsford City Council in partnership with Essex County Council and Network Rail to support the city’s future growth and connectivity.
The Planning Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in planning and recognise excellence across areas including placemaking, economic development and regeneration. Entries were judged by a panel of leading experts and professionals from the industry, including representatives from Homes England, the Planning Inspectorate, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Home Builders Federation.
Judges commended the station project for “bridging the gap between complex infrastructure requirements and the needs of both new and established neighbourhoods” and highlighted the positive community outcomes expected from linking pedestrian, cycle and bus routes to the station making it not only a transit point, but a place of social value.
The delivery of Beaulieu Park station was also recognised as an excellent example of cross-party working with the judges noting that this collaborative approach reflects the ambitions of the exemplar Chelmsford Garden Community development in north east Chelmsford.
The project was submitted for the award by Arcadis, a design, engineering and consultancy firm that worked with partners including Network Rail, Greater Anglia, Murphy, Jacobs, Chelmsford City Council and Essex County Council to deliver the new station.
Beaulieu Park station opened ahead of schedule in October 2025. Images courtesy of Murphy.
““It’s fantastic to see Beaulieu Park station recognised nationally in this way. This award reflects the shared vision, hard work and commitment of all the project partners who have helped bring such a complex and important scheme forward. Beaulieu Park station shows how well-planned infrastructure can support sustainable growth, connect communities and make everyday journeys easier for local people.”
Councillor Richard Lee, Cabinet Member for Planning and Place-Shaping
The station has been designed to be fully inclusive with step-free access and tactile wayfinding. Images courtesy of Murphy.
About Beaulieu Park station
Beaulieu Park station is a major new travel hub for Chelmsford and the first station built on the Great Eastern Main Line in over 100 years.
The station was designed to support the growing Chelmsford Garden Community, ease pressure on Chelmsford’s existing station and reduce car journeys into the city centre.
With regular rail services to London and the east of England, integrated local bus connections, and new walking and cycling routes, the station offers residents and visitors convenient and sustainable travel choices.
You can find out more about Beaulieu Park station, including information about car parking, walking and cycling route maps and details about onsite facilities and accessibility on the Chelmsford City Council website.
