New homes
Housing that meets local needs
The updated plans look to significantly reduce the number of proposed homes from ‘up to 1,050’, now to ‘up to 520’ high-quality new homes. City & Country are committed to their plans to provide 50% affordable housing provision, helping to address the local housing crisis in the Uttlesford district. This ensures that the development is inclusive and supports a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. As well as affordable rent and shared ownership, affordable homes could include First Homes and Discount Market homes, offering local people a chance to get on the housing ladder at a 20-30% discount.
There is an evident need for new housing, infrastructure and growth provided within the most sustainable locations. The planned expansion of Stansted Airport alongside the new BOX:STN Logistics Park will result in an increase in jobs within the immediate area resulting in an increase in the demand for further appropriate housing. This development will be able to help accommodate sustainable growth in the area.
Our proposed new homes will feature a mixture of starter homes through to larger family homes, ranging from 1 to 6 bedrooms. As we are currently preparing outline planning applications, full details on the design of homes will come forward at a later stage, should the Outline plans be approved by Uttlesford District Council’s Planning Committee.
The site
Ideally situated for access to local amenities
The site, formerly spanning around 72 hectares and consisting of eight parcels, has since been significantly reduced to just four parcels.
Sites A and B are located to the north and northwest of the village of Birchanger. These two sites are adjacent to Stansted Road (B1383), Birchanger Lane, Tot Lane, and border the existing settlement.
Sites F and G are located to the southeast of Stansted Mountfitchet adjacent to Forest Hall School and Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre. Immediately surrounding these two sites are Forest Hall Road, Parsonage Lane and Church Road, with Stansted Airport and the M11 to the east of the site.
The proposed sites are strategically placed in sustainable locations with strong transport links, local amenities, and good connections to the existing villages of Stansted Mountfitchet and Birchanger as well as the nearby town of Bishop’s Stortford.
With convenient access to local bus stops and proposed cycle access to Stansted Mountfitchet Railway Station from the sites, the location offers fast links to both London and Cambridge.
The four parcels removed from the plans are also under ownership by City & Country and will largely remain in agricultural use. These parcels of land will be enhanced with the addition of new woodland and hedgerows, as well as new pedestrian and cycle routes to increase connectivity and encourage sustainable car-free travel.
Updated proposals
Key benefits of the scheme
Since the first round of engagement in 2024, City & Country has been working with local councillors, Uttlesford District Council Planning Officers, the Planning Inspectorate and the local community to carefully refine our proposals to reflect feedback on what will provide the most benefit to local residents and the wider community.
The updated proposals now provide:
- A mix of up to 520 homes, with 50% allocated as affordable housing.
- Local ecological enhancements resulting in the biodiversity net gain of at least 20%.
- New and enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes promoting car-free travel and a safe access to surrounding areas and amenities.
- Development close to key transport links and employment centres.
- A mixture of starter homes through to large family homes, from 1 to 6 bedrooms.
- Significant financial contributions towards local key services and amenities.
- Economic boost to the local economy through job creation, and increased spending through local services, transport and infrastructure diverse
wildlife habitats. - Potential to reserve land for retail and business uses, benefitting the wider community through provision of services and employment.
Red-line boundary of sites
New and enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes
Proposed site access routes
Land under City & Country ownership
Travel plan
Transport and access
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 to identify the impacts on local roads near the sites, as well as impact on the strategic highway network, alongside any mitigation requirements.
As shown in the illustrative masterplan above, access on to site A will be via Birchanger Lane and access on to site B will be via Tot Lane. A primary access route will run through site F and on to site G via Forest Hall Road.
Retail and business use
Boosting local employment and creating retail convenience
A key part of creating a sustainable place to live for the benefit of all people include the potential to reserve land for retail and business uses, benefitting the wider community through provision of services and employment. These facilities will be supplemented with car-free travel routes included within the final proposals.
Indicative proposed timeline
How will the project move forward?
November / December 2024
First round of engagement launched.
Early 2025
Reviewed community feedback and updated proposals where appropriate.
Spring 2025
Ongoing conversations with the council regarding the plans and updating them ahead of a second round of engagement.
September / October 2025
Second round of engagement takes place.
Late 2025 / Early 2026
Further review of community feedback and refine proposals where appropriate.
Submit outline planning applications to Uttlesford District Council.
Interactive map
A new way to engage with our plans!
Add a comment to our interactive map to show us a thought or idea regarding the site.