THE EMERGING PROPOSAL

OVERVIEW

BDW understands that local people want new developments to fit in with the character of the area and for them to contribute towards the provision of infrastructure to enable the sustainable growth of North Fambridge.

The site comprises 14.7 hectares of land. It is located next to Riverside Grange which comprises 87 homes, completed over two years ago.

The site benefits from being visually well contained by the train line to the north, and existing built development to the east and south.

The site is located within Flood Zone 1, where there is a low risk of flooding. It is not subject to any heritage or landscape designations. An existing public right of way runs along the western boundary of the site.

infrastructUre provision

The scheme proposes to deliver two core pieces of infrastructure:

  • The first, the provision of land to enable the delivery of a community/medical facility and/or day nursery.

  • The second, the provision of a retail unit, providing the potential for a local convenience shop or alternative practical retail use, such as a hairdresser, etc.

BDW is liaising with the National Health Service (NHS) and Essex County Council to establish how these facilities can be delivered.

The largest barrier for the NHS and Essex County Council to build health and education facilities across Essex is the purchase of land for these uses on the open market. As such, BDW would gift a parcel of land to the NHS or Essex County Council upon which they would be able to then build their facility.

BDW will provide a retail space and associated parking to enable a small convenience shop to operate from the site. BDW will liaise with retail market professionals to attract a suitable end user.

BDW will also provide contributions to local services, including education and highways infrastructure, secured as part of a legal agreement with Maldon District Council and Essex County Council.

Housing mix

The scheme will deliver up to 250 energy efficient homes, with a mix of 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom homes. The scheme can deliver a number of bungalows in addition to traditional family homes to support downsizing within the local community. The scheme does not propose any apartments or flats.

landscaping & Ecology

The proposals include multifunctional green infrastructure, in addition to attractive tree-lined streets within the development. Large areas of the site are proposed for public open space and green infrastructure includes equipped play areas and allotments.

Public open space is spread across the site, seeking to integrate with the sustainable drainage strategy and the existing landscaping provided as part of the adjacent Riverside Grange development.

The proposals will also include a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain and ecological enhancements.

affordable / stARTER homes

We understand that there is a lack of genuinely affordable homes for local people in this part of Maldon.

It is wrong that young people are priced out of the area due to a lack of affordable/starter homes to buy and rent.

This proposal will comprise up to 250 new homes, including a policy-compliant proportion of up to 100 affordable/starter homes which is 40% of the total mix.

high-quality design

The layout and architectural form, along with the surrounding landscape, has been analysed to ensure that the design of the proposal takes inspiration from the character of the area and BDW’s existing Riverside Grange development.

The detailed designs and use of materials would be presented in a later reserved matters planning application, based on the outcome of the outline planning application, which will be submitted in the autumn of 2025.

sustainability

BDW adopts a ‘fabric first’ approach to their homes. This means that energy efficiency is built into the design of every home, with materials selected for their efficiency, insulation properties and ability to utilise energy.

BDW will also meet the 10% renewable energy requirement for new homes, with solar panels on roofs, air source heat pumps and electric charging infrastructure installed for every home too.

drainage

BDW’s design process is underpinned by a drainage strategy to carefully manage surface water runoff.

Sustainable urban drainage measures, including swales, attenuation ponds and permeable pavements, are designed to handle a 1 in 100-year storm event with an additional allowance for climate change.

The drainage strategy is designed in discussion with the Lead Local Flood Authority.

highways and transport

Vehicular access to the site will be provided from Fambridge Road via Hurndall Avenue. The site will connect into the Riverside Grange development via Anchor Way and Hurndall Avenue to create a loop road arrangement.

Armstrong Way is a private road. The intention is to provide cycle and pedestrian connectivity to the site via Armstrong Way, which will be kept in private ownership and maintained by the management company for the development.

BDW will explore ways in which this development could play a part in improving the junction at Lower Burnham Road and Fambridge Road which has been identified as an accident reduction zone.

BDW is engaging with Essex Highways to explore ways in which this development can contribute towards the improving local bus connectivity between North Fambridge and other important destinations, such as Maldon and Chelmsford.

Timescales

Indicative timescales for the project are:

  • Public consultation: Summer 2025

  • Planning application submission: Autumn 2025

  • Determination: Spring 2026

  • Preparation of detailed planning applications: Winter 2026

  • Construction: Expected Winter 2027