What are Countryside delivering?
Countryside is responsible for bringing forward the parcel that is adjacent to Chelmsford Road and the A12, creating high-quality new homes, a care home, and improved walking, cycling and public transport links.
Countryside’s application for land north of Chelmsford Road, Shenfield has now been submitted to Brentwood Borough Council for consideration. The application has now been validated with the planning application reference number: 24/00051/FUL seeking full permission for new homes and open space and outline permission for the construction of a care home.
This can be viewed, along with all the planning documents on the Brentwood Borough Council website.
We held a community webinar on Monday 15th January 2024, to view the recording please click below.
Downloads:
Countryside site plan
The site will have its own access arrangements however will connect to the wider development that is being brought forward by Croudace, Redrow and Stonebond.
Key benefits
142 high-quality new homes to meet local need
35% will be classed as affordable to enable residents to get onto the housing ladder
5% will be custom-build, offering great options in terms of internal layout and specification
Land reserved for a new care home
Green open space for all to enjoy
New and improved walking, cycling and public transport links
A biodiversity net gain
Care home
As part of the allocation in Brentwood’s Local Plan, around two hectares of land should be provided for employment purposes, this may include light industrial, offices or research and development. The types of uses specified in the policy were considered appropriate at the time the Local Plan was being drafted but the pandemic has shifted the requirements of the office and light industrial market. As such, Countryside is likely to move towards other employment uses that are compatible with residential development, including a 70-80 bed care home, which is comparable to light industrial and office use.
A care home in this location will provide a taller more attractive building establishing a high quality gateway into Shenfield.
Residents will also benefit from bus stops along Chelmsford Road that are in walking distance, making access to Shenfield’s services and facilities easy and convenient.
New homes
Countryside’s parcel will deliver 142 high-quality new homes of which 35% will be affordable. This will include a variety of house types including terraced housing, semi-detached, detached and apartments as well as a variety of tenures to meet local need including social rent and shared ownership.
5% of the new homes will be custom-build, offering residents greater options in terms of internal layout and specifications.
Design
Countryside’s parcel features the urban edge, which covers the main approaches to the site from the north that are most visible. Countryside will deliver a distinctive high quality design with buildings located to the north of our parcel will be a mix of 3 and 4 storeys with the buildings to the south being a mixture of 2, 2.5 and 3 storey home to protect sensitive views and mitigate the visual impact of the development as much as possible.
The proposals include 219 car parking spaces, which are primarily located to the rear and/or side of the buildings, reducing parking at the front of the houses.
Access
There will be two access points for the site via Chelmsford Road (A1023).
The residential development will be accessed via a dedicated access which creates a spine road through the development. The second access point will be for the care home only.
The community is within walking distance of Shenfield Station and the town centre, and its accessible location is complemented by plans for a walkable neighbourhood where pedestrians have priority. Residents will also benefit from new cycle and pedestrian links, which will link Countryside’s parcel to the wider development and amenities.
Green open space and sustainability
The scheme is landscape led with a priority of delivering green open space whilst protecting and enhancing biodiversity on site. The proposals will retain as many existing trees and hedgerows as possible and enhance wherever possible.
A play area is included within the proposals for new and existing residents to enjoy. The scheme will promote a fabric first approach to ensure that the development is sustainable
About Countryside
Countryside is the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer specialising in building communities.
In March 2021, Countryside retained their ‘5 Star Housebuilder Award’ from the Home Builders Federation following the latest home building industry’s Customer Satisfaction Survey. This award means that 90% of homeowners would recommend Countryside to their friends and family.
Countryside have also been award both the ‘Gold Award’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award from In-House for customer satisfaction throughout 2020.
Have your say
Please do let us know what you think of the proposals that Countryside are bringing forward for their parcel of land by filling out the online feedback form below.
