Open house about Chelmsford’s future

Now is your chance to speak to the team who are reviewing proposals for Chelmsford’s future to 2041 as part of our Local Plan. The plan will affect everyone who lives, works or studies in Chelmsford.

What will it mean for you?

Options for Chelmsford’s future growth

The Local Plan will shape how Chelmsford develops in the next 20 years.

The council has developed five different approaches that could be followed to address the city’s growth. It is likely that the preferred approach might not be one of the five listed, but a combination of the most sustainable and deliverable elements.

The consultation is not a vote on which specific location is the most or least popular, but a way of assessing issues and finding the most sustainable overall strategy for delivering the area’s needs. That includes our environment, infrastructure, business and education opportunities.

Speak to us: 8-10 September

The first public consultation about the review of the plan will run until 6 October. The Local Plan is reviewed every five years, so don’t miss the chance to have your say at this stage.

We’ll be inviting you into the Civic Centre this week to meet our policymakers. They’ll be available at a real time exhibition to tell you more and help with any questions you may have.

There are three dates to choose from:

• Thursday 8 September, 6pm to 9pm
• Friday 9 September, 10am to 1pm
• Friday 9 September, 2pm to 5pm
• Saturday 10 September, 10am to 1pm

The exhibition will be at the Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE.

Virtual tour of the Local Plan review

If you can’t get to one of these sessions, don’t worry, you can view  a virtual exhibition online. This will allow you to see  the proposals and options and explains how you can take part in the consultation: https://chelmsford.vercel.app/.

The full Local Plan document is available online: Local Plan Review 2022 – Chelmsford City Council. However, to make it more convenient, the exhibition offers a summary where you can focus on the area that is most relevant to you.

We’re reviewing the plan

The council has to have a Local Plan to guide its future growth so that Chelmsford is a greener, fairer and more connected community. Without an up-to-date local plan, the council could have very little influence over the location of new development and the provision of infrastructure.

Councils have to review their local plan every five years. Chelmsford City Council adopted its current Local Plan in 2020 and must therefore start a review in order to complete it by 2025. The review will also extend the horizon of the Local Plan from 2036 to 2041.

This means we have to reassess our housing and employment needs to take into account projected rising population and growth in the city. So we’re asking for your views.

Have your say on Chelmsford’s future

This is the first stage of consultation, so there will be many opportunities to be involved. There will be further consultations as the plan evolves and you will be asked for your views along the way.

“

“Chelmsford City Council must address the climate and ecological emergency, the housing crisis and the need to create a more connected community. In addition, the council must take into account Government legislation and other council policies. We need to build communities (with infrastructure) not just houses.“

The council wants input from residents to help shape the city for current and future generations and to guide how to address these priorities. This is your opportunity to influence the future of your city, so it’s really important that you do have your say. There are many ways you can get involved, so do please take part in this consultation.”

Cllr Stephen Robinson, Leader, Chelmsford City Council

Where to view documents

You can view the consultation documents and make comments on the Council’s planning policy consultation portal www.chelmsford.gov.uk/planningpolicyconsult..

They will also be available to read during normal opening hours at the Council’s Customer Service Centre at the Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford.

You can view an online exhibition available during the consultation period – this can be found via our website at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/lp-exhibition.

How to respond with your views

• Via our consultation portal at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/planningpolicyconsult
• By email to planning.policy@chelmsford.gov.uk
• By post to Spatial Planning Services, Chelmsford City Council, Civic Centre,
  Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE.

All comments will be used to inform the next stage of the process which is when the council chooses its preferred option.

What has the plan delivered so far?

Feedback from earlier consultations is already reflected in the current plan. It has delivered new space for business and employment, 5,000 homes to cater for different household sizes, including affordable housing, and infrastructure such as schools and green spaces. It has expanded sustainable transport, including cycleways, with a new railway station in north Chelmsford planned to open in the next four years.