Chelmsford’s Best Kept Street announced

In February this year, Chelmsford City Council launched the 2017 NICE Best Kept Street competition. Residents were asked to nominate the city’s most beautiful street. Now the results are in – and residents of one cul-de-sac are delighted.

Nominated streets were judged on visual attractiveness, the smartness of their front gardens and buildings. They also had to display the correct recycling on collection day, be free of litter and of dog fouling.

On 30 June, Suzanne Lawson and Rebecca Moss from the Council’s NICE team visited High Pastures in Little Baddow. The officers were so impressed with the care that residents took of the street that it was declared the winner. A new road sign, proudly declaring High Pastures’ new Best Kept status, was awarded and one resident held a party at their house for the whole street to celebrate.

The winning street

Bunting was displayed proudly during the awards party

Residents with NICE officers from Chelmsford City Council

Nominated by Little Baddow Parish Council, the beautifully maintained and manicured street is nestled in the heart of the village. The nomination praised the “variety of styles of houses and front gardens, with areas lovingly tended by all residents, including public and private areas of lawn.”

The competition was part of the City Council’s Neighbourhood Improvement & Community Engagement (NICE) programme, which is all about encouraging residents to take pride in their local environment.

Councillor Malcolm Sismey, the Cabinet Member responsible for the competition, said, “We want to celebrate residents who have put in a lot of effort to make their street a pleasant place for everyone to enjoy. Our judges were immensely impressed by the genuine love that High Pastures residents showed for their street. They should be very proud of their work, which has resulted in a beautiful view from the top of the cul-de-sac as well as this very well-deserved award.”