20 December 2025
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Home » News » Major Chelmsford Garden Community plans approved
Chelmsford City Council’s planning committee has approved a series of major planning applications for the Chelmsford Garden Community.
The approvals cover key infrastructure such as roads and schools alongside housing and new destination parks.
Essex County Council has been supporting economic growth and high-quality housing through Garden Communities for almost a decade. In Chelmsford, this approach has helped secure £218 million of investment from Homes England to fund vital infrastructure.
This funding has already delivered major projects, including Beaulieu Park Station, which opened in October, and the first section of the Chelmsford North East Bypass, which is currently under construction.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, described the Chelmsford Garden Community as “one of the most significant housing developments in the country”.
She stressed the importance of delivering infrastructure ahead of new housing to ensure communities are well connected and to minimise impacts on existing residents.
The planning approvals come against the cancellation of plans to widen the A12 between Junctions 19 and 25. In response, Essex County Council is now developing initial proposals to increase capacity and improve safety at Junction 19 (the Boreham Interchange) and the nearby Beaulieu Park Station roundabout to support planned housing growth.
Councillor McKinlay said: “With approval now granted for 2,750 new homes, it is vital that the right infrastructure is also planned for, developed and delivered.
“The Government’s decision to withdraw funding for the A12 was hugely disappointing and showed a lack of joined-up thinking. I said at the time it was unacceptable and that we would continue to fight for the investment needed to keep our county moving. I’m pleased that this pressure has started to pay off.”
Essex County Council is set to invest up to £8 million in the alternative Junction 19 proposals. Further funding is expected to come from partners including National Highways, central Government and local developers, with discussions ongoing.
The planning decision also approved developers to deliver the east–west Northern Radial Distributor Road. Once completed and open to the public, this will form the first section of the Chelmsford North East Bypass, improving access from the north of the city to Beaulieu Park Station and A12 Junction 19.
Councillor McKinlay added: “The Chelmsford Garden Community is a great example of how planning should be done, with infrastructure delivered ahead of new housing so new residents are well connected to opportunities in Essex.
“The county council remains committed to this ‘infrastructure first’ principle, and the agreement to invest in much-needed improvements to the road network further supports this.”
Read more about the latest approved plans.
