The project is being built on a former green belt site (Image: Places for People)
A new ‘garden town’ of 8,500 homes has been described as the “blueprint” with new plans unveiled. Places for People and Barratt Redrow have revealed that they will build thousands of homes near Gilston on the Hertfordshire-Essex border. It will comprise of 660 hectares of public open space, restored historic parkland, meadows and woodland, walkable villages, and 8,500 homes, which includes plans for at least 1,950 affordable homes.
Developers have promised that the project “balances town and country living and places wellbeing and access to nature at its heart”. The design differs from planned cities such as Milton Keynes, which are car-focused, and will feature 17km of cycle and pedestrian routes to encourage people to walk and bike their way around the town. The development has been 20 years in the making and will be built on a former Green Belt site.
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Greg Reed, CEO of Places for People, said: “Our vision for this development is a new blueprint for modern garden towns, shaped by deep community insight and a commitment to doing things the right way from day one.”
He described it as one of the most significant town developments in the UK. He added: “By combining Places for People’s long-term stewardship and social value approach with Barratt Redrow’s exceptional capability to deliver homes at scale and like-minded approach to social value, we can accelerate one of the most significant new communities in the UK.
“This partnership unlocks delivery at a pace and scale that neither organisation could achieve alone and ensures we deliver the infrastructure, green space and high-quality homes that people deserve.”
As it is on a former Green Belt site, the development has been met with court battles and objections over the past two decades.
Developers say walkways and nature are a priority (Image: Harlow & Gilston Garden Town)
“They say the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and with Gilston we did just that. It’s taken two decades to get to this point, and now we are ready to roll,” Greg added.
Barratt Redrow chief executive David Thomas said: “Working with Places for People offers the opportunity to show what large-scale, responsible, community-led development looks like.
“Our new joint venture will deliver up to 8,500 new homes and is a once-in-a-generation project where we can create a modern garden town, connecting people to nature, and growing with the community.”
As part of the wider Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT), more than 16,000 new homes will be delivered. The entire project is made up of four new Garden Town neighbourhoods in Water Lane, Latton Priory and East of Harlow, with the fourth made up of seven new Garden villages in Gilston.
A map shows the new developments in the works (Image: Harlow & Gilston Garden Town)
It will also feature the redevelopment of Harlow’s town centre, with ambitious plans that will “bring forward a new Arts & Cultural Quarter alongside a redeveloped Broad Walk area and upgraded bus station”.
HGGT was formally designated by the Government in 2017 and is led by several councils: East Herts District Council, Epping Forest District Council, Essex County Council, Harlow District Council and Hertfordshire County Council.
“From environmental stewardship to new homes, to connected communities and neighbourhoods where economy, learning, caring, health, wellbeing, culture and a thriving energised Harlow town centre all contribute to a transformative, connected and sustainable opportunities for a growing community,” developers have promised.
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