The emerging proposal

Planning context

The Government requires Thurrock Council to maintain a five year supply of land for new homes.

However, for years Thurrock Council has been failing this Government housing test and currently can only demonstrate a 0.91 year housing supply.

Although the site is located within the Green Belt, it only makes a limited contribution to the purposes of the Green Belt. New homes here would neatly form an extension to Chadwell St Mary, filling in the ‘gap’ between the industrial units on Sandy Lane and the Lea Road estate to the west.

Landscape

The key principles that guide the landscape strategy are:

  • Creating a series of well-connected areas of public realm and landscape within the residential plots to provide space for residents and the general public to dwell, socialise and explore.

  • Provide high quality private amenity spaces for residents with a mix of active and passive spaces.

  • Designing the public realm and open green space to be accessible and usable for people of all backgrounds.

Housing

The proposed materials have been chosen to reflect the character of the local area and for their energy efficiency. As such, the emerging design includes the use of multi-red brick, buff brick, grey tiles, render and cast stone dressing.

In keeping with the prevailing character of the local area, the new buildings range in height from 1 to 2.5 storeys with a pitched roof. The emerging housing mix includes a variety of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties.

In line with national planning policy, 50% of the homes will be classed as affordable and include a mix of homes for shared ownership and affordable rent.

Highways and parking

The proposal will comply with Thurrock Council’s parking standards and the design incorporates a range of parking options to allow sufficient provision without streets being dominated by cars.

The majority of homes have on plot parking, on drives and in garages. Some have frontage parking interspersed with landscape which is convenient and well overlooked. Parking courts have also been used which discreetly tucks cars away. For example, all family-sized homes will have two on-plot parking spaces. Each flat will have a parking space and visitor parking spaces are also included.

Bellway and NWM Properties are working closely with the local highways authority to ensure the local highway network can absorb extra demand and that the development is joined up with any other developments that are being built elsewhere in the borough. The design process is informed by an up to date traffic survey and, where necessary, mitigation measures will be put in place to upgrade the local highways network.

Local services

The proposed development will provide proportionate funding to level up local services, from schools to libraries and medical centres. Bellway and NWM Properties are in discussion with the NHS and other services about what is required for local services to absorb any extra demand from the development. Their commitment to investing in local services will be enshrined through the legally binding Section 106 Agreement as part of any planning permission. The final financial contribution will be agreed with Thurrock Council.

Drainage

Sustainable urban drainage systems will be woven throughout the final design. These drainage features could include swales and attenuation basins, that will control surface water run off rates. Extensive planting and green open spaces, which are permeable, will also help to support good natural drainage. The final drainage strategy will be designed so that the site can cope with a 1 in 100 year storm event plus allowances for climate change. The final drainage plan will be agreed in consultation with the Lead Local Flood Authority.