Publication Date: 11-07-2025 09:00
Councillors approve Bellway’s plans for 105-home development in Great Leighs
Plans to build 105 new homes at Great Leighs, near Chelmsford, have been approved by councillors.
Bellway is seeking full planning permission to develop a site off Banters Lane, which forms part of a wider planned neighbourhood of up to 750 homes at the northern edge of the village.
Chelmsford City Council’s planning committee voted to grant permission for the scheme at a meeting on Tuesday 17 June – subject to the completion of a planning agreement through which Bellway will make financial contributions towards local services and infrastructure.
Located on land to the south east of Banters Lane Business Park, Bellway’s development will provide 68 homes for private sale, including five custom build plots, and 37 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.
More than 70 per cent (76) of the properties will be built to the M4(2) standard for accessibility and adaptability, while four homes will meet the M4(3) standard for wheelchair users.
Public open space will be created along the southern, western and northern parts of the site, incorporating a children’s play area, additional tree planting and the creation of new wildlife habitats. A new pedestrian and cycle route will link the development to the existing village.
The development will also provide footway improvements and a new crossing on Main Road, as well as improvements to existing bus stops.
Phil Standen, Managing Director for Bellway Essex, said: “This development forms an important part of the wider Great Leighs sustainable extension. The land has been allocated for residential use in the Chelmsford Local Plan and will deliver a range of private and affordable homes to help meet the city’s growing housing needs.
“The mix of one to four-bedroom properties reflects the specific requirements of the local housing market, and will include a variety of detached and semi-detached houses. The development will feature 20 different house styles, ensuring a varied and interesting street scene incorporating design features which reflect local architecture.
“Electric vehicle charging points will be installed at the development to encourage green modes of transport, while the retention of existing trees and hedges alongside additional planting and the creation of new wildlife habitat will deliver a biodiversity net gain above the 10 per cent requirement.
“We look forward to completing the planning agreement with Chelmsford City Council and commencing construction work on this carefully planned development which will deliver significant economic and social benefits for the area.”
Funding to be provided by Bellway through the planning agreement is set to include contributions for education, outdoor sport, road junction improvements, the Chelmsford North East Bypass and mitigation works for the Essex Wildlife Trust Sandylay and Moat Wood Reserves.
For more information about Bellway developments in Essex, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/essex/.
