Major step forward for Garden Community in Chelmsford
One of the largest and most ambitious developments in Chelmsford’s history has reached a new milestone. Chelmsford City Council’s Planning Committee has approved several major planning applications for new phases of Chelmsford Garden Community, giving the green light to new roads, schools and other facilities, new homes and destination parks.
Over the next 25 years, Chelmsford Garden Community in the north-east of the city, will add four more, brand-new villages to the existing Beaulieu and Channels. Eventually, this will include around 6,250 new homes of which over 1,500 will be affordable, three new standalone primary schools with early years provision, an all-through school that contains early years right through to sixth form, playgrounds, neighbourhood centres, business areas and four big ‘destination parks’, including the new 90ha Dukes Wood Nature Park and 22ha Channels Discovery Park.
““The committee’s decision puts into effect the policy that we have pursued for real action to address the housing crisis; a strong commitment to affordable rent homes for Chelmsford families, and building roads, schools and other facilities, so we create real communities not just build houses.
Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council
“Chelmsford Garden Community has been designed from the outset to give people choice in how they travel, where they spend their time, where they work and how they enjoy nature and social life alike.”
The entire project is being built by a consortium of developers, including Ptarmigan Land, Halley Developments, Countryside and L&Q, with a legal agreement to enable a joined-up approach to the development. Chelmsford City Council is providing the overarching guidance for the project in partnership with Essex County Council, Homes England, and Chelmsford Garden Community Council.
Project partners have worked together to make this an exemplar development, with high-quality design, strong environmental standards and facilities that support a great quality of life, like the award-winning Beaulieu neighbourhood.
The new villages will join the existing areas of Beaulieu and Channels
Three zones, four new villages, one community
The plans approved this week are Zones 1 and 3; Zone 2 - the final planning application for Chelmsford Garden Community - will be considered in spring 2026.
Zones 1 and 3 cover village centres, shops, a new school, parks and community spaces. These are:
Zone 1 (south-west)
Developer: Ptarmigan Land
Village: part of Great Belsteads and the continuation of Channels
Homes: 1,500 homes, of which about 370 will be affordable rented homes and around 155 shared ownership
Includes: primary school, neighbourhood centre with healthcare facility, innovation employment park, Channels Discovery Park
Zone 3 (north-west)
Developer: Halley Developments
Village: part of Great Belsteads
Homes: 1,250 homes of which around 280 will be rented affordable homes with around 75 shared ownership
Includes: the new Channels Discovery Park, sports hub
Zone 2 (east) – to be considered in early 2026
Developer: Countryside and L&Q
Villages: Hawthorn, Park Farm, Willow Hill
Homes: 3,500 homes
Includes: two primary schools, an all-through school, neighbourhood centres with main healthcare facility, main sports hub, the new Dukes Wood Nature Park, a large park called Park Farm Meadows, employment area
The villages will each have their own distinct character, guided by the overarching vision in the masterplan agreed by Chelmsford City Council and the developers, as well as the Garden City principles. They will be connected by swathes of green open space, paths, roads and public transport links, creating an area with a sense of community that feels pleasant and makes modern life as easy as possible.
““We are very excited to get started delivering the next 1,500 homes in our Channels development, with 750 homes already delivered as part of this thriving community”.
Hugo Kirby, Managing Director of Ptarmigan Land
““The Chelmsford Garden Community is to be an exemplary project delivering urgently needed new homes to help address the housing crisis. In addition, it will bring accelerated and much needed benefits to the community through coordinated funding packages to bring about advanced delivery of infrastructure, amenities and facilities.
Jon Kenny, Development Director at Greycoat and Halley Developments
“The coordination of this major project supported by all of the stakeholders has been thus far, a high-quality example of public and private cooperation. We are excited to be working together to deliver this project in the coming months.”
Landscape-led, environmentally responsible design
The Garden Community will form part of the landscape that is already here. New green areas, ponds, hedgerow protection and a huge programme of tree planting will help shape the character of each village as the neighbourhoods blend into surrounding countryside over time.
At least half of Chelmsford Garden Community will be dedicated to nature-rich spaces – including parks, woodlands, meadows, wetlands and water bodies – forming a connected green network that supports wildlife and people alike. More than 16,000 new trees will be planted – three for every home – alongside the creation and enhancement of diverse habitats. This ambitious approach will drive nature recovery, boost biodiversity, and provide beautiful, accessible outdoor spaces where communities can thrive in harmony with the natural environment.
Artist impressions of the new phases of the garden community
A community with everything people need
Residents will have many options for moving around and beyond their new neighbourhoods. Walking routes and dedicated off-road cycleways will run throughout the site, public transport will be easy to access, and good links to Beaulieu Park railway station will support sustainable travel. Most of the homes will be within 400 metres of a bus stop, and all residents of the new neighbourhoods will get free bus passes for the first year.
Each village will have a centre, which will include a nursery or crèche, as well as a car club, cycle parking and e-scooters. Secure cycle parking is planned for the front of each house, making cycling as convenient as possible.
Parking will still be available for those who choose to drive, with both driveways and off-street parking areas for additional parking, if needed. Each village centre will have a car club for residents’ use, giving people the flexibility to travel in the way that works best for them.
The new community also includes business premises, shops, an innovation hub and other employment space, creating the potential for one job for every home.
Key infrastructure to be delivered first
The committee also approved the Northern Radial Distributor Road (NRDR), a major new route along the northern edge of the development. The NRDR will link Essex Regiment Way to the first section of the new Chelmsford North East Bypass, which is currently under construction, playing an important role in easing pressure on local roads and supporting new homes and jobs in the area. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, following completion of the first section of the bypass.
A new roundabout on Essex Regiment Way, pedestrian and cyclist bridge, a north-to-south main street including a bus gate, and landscaping were also approved. Other approved applications include the details of local roads, drainage systems, active travel infrastructure and the early layout of the first development zones.
““Chelmsford City Council’s planning decision also approved the development and delivery of the east-west link road. Once complete and open to the public, this road will connect the first section of the Chelmsford North-East Bypass with the road network and will improve access from the north of Chelmsford to Beaulieu Park Station and A12 junction 19.
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity
"The Chelmsford Garden Community is a great example of how planning should be done, with infrastructure delivered ahead of new housing so new residents are well connected to their new communities. The county council remains committed to this principle, and the agreement to invest in much needed improvements to the road network further supports this.”
Delivering infrastructure like Beaulieu Park station and local schools is a key aspect of the development
A big step forward
With approvals now in place, early infrastructure work is expected to begin shortly, paving the way for construction of the first homes and facilities to begin in 2026.
““As Chairman of the local parish council, the Chelmsford Garden Community Council, I welcome this significant milestone for Chelmsford Garden Community and the clear commitment shown by all partners to delivering a development that is both ambitious and responsible. We are particularly encouraged by the landscape-led approach and the early delivery of high-quality infrastructure, schools and destination parks, which will be vital in shaping a strong sense of place from the outset.
Councillor Derek Drew-Smith, Chairman of Chelmsford Garden Community Council
“Our Community Council looks forward to working constructively with Chelmsford City Council, developers and residents to ensure that the extensive open spaces are stewarded with care, transparency and long-term community benefit at their heart, so that these new villages grow into thriving, well-connected neighbourhoods that enhance both the local environment and quality of life for generations to come.”
For more information, visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/cgc.
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