LISTENING AND LEARNING

An extensive public engagement programme was undertaken in September and October 2025, delivering a combination of in-person events and a digital survey.

In headline terms, this included:

• A dedicated consultation website, viewed over 1,000 times, with an online feedback form
• A leaflet delivered to 768 residential and business address surrounding the site, detailing the proposals, and providing a link to the website and details regarding the consultation events
• Two public consultation events providing the community with the opportunity to speak with the technical experts on the project team regarding the proposals and to provide their feedback
• Keeping local politicians informed as the project progresses
• Engagement with key stakeholders, including major employers and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex
• A dedicated youth engagement event with participative design exercise
• A total of 561 completed survey responses

What You Told Us

On conclusion of the public engagement activities, the team carefully assessed all feedback received. The key themes raised during this period included:

• Transport Infrastructure – a need for new sustainable travel options which help alleviate existing congestion on main roads.
• Housing – ensuring availability of new homes and affordable housing in particular.
• Community Facilities – with a focus on health and education services.
• Drainage – protecting present and future communities from flood risk.
• Greenery – the need for green spaces which protect the environment, that are multipurpose and accessible for everyone.
• Identity – a distinct place name for the new development that respects its surroundings and local heritage.
• Community – a sense of place that all residents can feel proud of and safe within.
• Delivery – the need for quality placemaking and a sustainable model of stewardship.

All of the feedback received has helped to shape the designs in order to meet the community’s identified needs.

What’s Next

The current planning application is seeking Outline consent. The purpose of an outline application is to establish whether the principle of development and highways access are acceptable.

Further planning applications would then be required for the detailed design of the new community, should the current Outline application be approved.