Introduction
New homes for Stansted Mountfitchet and Birchanger
City & Country are excited to bring forward plans for a sensitive landscape-led development on land between Stansted Mountfitchet and Birchanger, which will deliver much needed high-quality new homes, including a significant amount of affordable homes. The proposals also include an extensive public realm comprising of accessible green public open space, play space, and new connectivity through the site, retail offerings and community uses. The development will benefit both new residents and those already living in the nearby villages.
These proposals are at a very early stage as City & Country is currently seeking allocation of the site in Uttlesford District Council’s Draft Local Plan, as a highly sustainable location that is suitable for development and can make a significant, positive contribution to meet local housing and other needs.
This is your opportunity to help shape these proposals by providing your views on how the housing, retail and employment, community and recreational, green spaces and infrastructure could benefit the people of Stansted Mountfitchet and Birchanger.
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Explore
Read more about the scheme
Creating new homes and community spaces
A vision for a new sustainable community
Making better places for local communities
FAQs
Your questions answered
How long will it take to build the new development?
The construction timeline for a development of this nature can vary depending on numerous factors, including whether the development will be built out by a single developer or will involve collaboration with others. At this stage, it is envisaged that the development could commence at some point in 2026, taking a few years to be fully complete, though more precise timings will be known once planning permission has been secured.
Is the site allocated for development in the emerging Draft Local Plan?
The site is not currently allocated in the adopted Local Plan (2005) or within the emerging Draft Local Plan (2024) for the proposed development. At this stage, the proposals are therefore coming forward without specific identification by Uttlesford District Council, though City & Country is promoting the site for allocation through the emerging Local Plan.
Land for a future expansion of Forest Hall School is allocated immediately to the south of the existing school site, and part of this allocation lies within the site.
How will this scheme affect local transport in the area?
The scheme will promote cycling and walking as the primary modes of travel and integrate into the existing footpath infrastructure, in addition to enhancing the existing public right of way routes.
A comprehensive Travel Plan will be included as part of a future planning application to identify the measures that will be taken to encourage new residents and those working at the development to travel by means other than the private car.
Detailed traffic analysis will be undertaken as part of the outline planning application to identify the likely constraints and impacts on local roads near to the development, as well as the impact on the strategic highway network including Junction 8 of the M11. The transport assessment will also consider the implications on public transport services and how to maximise the opportunity of sustainable travel from the development to Stansted Airport for its employment uses or for onward travel.
What makes this site suitable for development?
Although this site is not currently allocated within the Local Plan for the proposed development, given the increasing housing needs in Uttlesford it represents area for growth in between Stansted Mountfitchet and Birchanger, creating a logical extension to these settlements, with existing infrastructure and services capable of supporting growth without significant additional investment.
With the focus on ‘greening’, it will soften the plans for homes and build a buffer between the homes and each surrounding settlement to prevent one larger settlement being formed.
Indicative proposed timeline
How will the project move forward?
November/December 2024
Public engagement launches, including events and online survey to inform the local community and hear their thoughts.
Winter 2024
Review community feedback.
Winter 2025
Continue discussions with the local community about the proposals.
TBC 2025
Submit outline planning application if appropriate once community aspirations and national planning policy expectations have been understood.
Awards
Winners of the What House? 2024 Housebuilder of the year award
Last year, we won the Evening Standard’s Best Out of London Home award, as well as WhatHouse?’s Best Public Realm award for our scheme at St Osyth Priory. In November, we have won WhatHouse?’s Housebuilder of the Year 2024.