Chelmsford residents can voice their opinions on a new housing plan starting next month, as the city council seeks input on 23,000 new homes.
People are already worried that the plans are moving too fast. This could affect development in the southern part of the city. Council planners say if they delay, they might miss out on benefits from the current plan.
In December, the Government set a new standard for how many homes councils need to build. For Chelmsford, that means 1,454 homes each year, totaling 27,626 by 2041. But if local plans are already in motion, they can still go ahead if they meet 80% of the new standard.
The council’s local plan aims to build 1,210 new homes a year, which is 83% of the new standard. This means 23,326 homes by 2041, which is 4,300 less than the new standard requires.
Next month, residents will get to weigh in on plans for 4,450 new homes in central Chelmsford. This includes a new site at Andrews Place and changes to the Meadows Shopping Centre.
North Chelmsford is set to see over 7,200 new homes, while south and east Chelmsford will get around 4,400, mainly in a new garden community at Hammonds Farm.
Some councillors are concerned about the rush. Conservative councillor Stephanie Scott pointed out that proper consideration for future growth hasn’t been fully addressed.
Jeremy Potter argued that stopping the local plan could lead to even more homes being needed later. He emphasized that moving forward is crucial for securing government funding for infrastructure.
The consultation starts on February 4, so residents should get ready to share their thoughts!
