Chelmsford City Council adds sustainability measures to West Chelmsford masterplan

Chelmsford City Council has agreed a set of additional measures that will improve the sustainability of a new community. The masterplan for west Chelmsford, known locally as Warren Farm, will be amended to include an additional bridge for cycling and walking; a contribution to improving the local cycle network, and improvements to bus stops/signs.

These changes follow public consultation in the early summer and concerns from the residents of the Chignal Estate about a proposal for a wide, 2-metre-high bridge for buses into the Avon Road area. The Chelmsford Policy Board agreed the changes on Thursday 15 October.

Following the recommendations made by the Chelmsford Policy Board in July, Crest Nicholson reviewed the bus link option into Avon Road and submitted an addendum to the masterplan detailing their alternative to the bus bridge.

Instead of the bus bridge there will be a smaller pedestrian/cycle link plus another pedestrian/cycle link further south. This would result in two footpath/cycleway connections between the new development and the Chignal Estate, to the north and south of the existing allotments. Crest Nicholson also committed to provide financial contributions to a third footway/cycleway; a contribution towards the Melbourne Avenue/Trent Road cycleway; a proposed bus route to run along Roxwell Road, Chignal Road and Melbourne Avenue to connect to the city centre; and new and improved bus stops in Avon Road and Trent Road.

Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Councillor Stephen Robinson, said “We need to look at sustainability in the round and put in place measures that will genuinely enhance an area. When we looked carefully at the earlier proposals, it became clear that the bus bridge would have had a dramatic and negative environmental impact, not out-weighed by the possible benefits.

“We listened to and acted on the views of local residents, and expect that these changes will improve the sustainability of this development.”

The masterplan will be revised by developers Crest Nicholson before being presented for approval at a future Cabinet meeting. Following approval at Cabinet, Crest Nicholson will look to submit a planning application in the New Year.

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