You’re bound to have a few questions about the Gilston Park Estate proposal. We’ve put together some frequently asked questions to help you out
The development at Gilston Area will deliver up to 10,000 new homes set across 7 distinct and individual villages and supported by a £600m transport and social infrastructure package which will include significant highway improvements as well as education, health and community facilities.
The Gilston Area development is being promoted by Places for People (PfP) and City & Provincial Properties (CPP) to deliver up to 10,000 new homes across 7 villages to the north of Harlow. Six of these villages make up Gilston Park Estate and are being brought forward by PfP; with the remaining village (Briggens Estate) being brought forward by CPP.
Our proposals at Gilston Area will deliver 10,000 homes, helping to address the local housing needs of East Herts and supporting the lasting economic regeneration of Harlow. East Herts District Council currently estimates that the area requires 19,500 new homes over the next 20 years, and the council has allocated the site as a suitable area to accommodate over half of the district’s housing need until 2033 and beyond.
No, all our predictions about the impact on transport are evidence based. We have engaged in detailed discussions with Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils in respect of transport modelling for Gilston Area and the wider Harlow area. With the provision of appropriate mitigation, the transport network is expected to be able to accommodate forecast growth.
For more information about the Stort Crossings, please visit the FAQs on the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town website here.
All promoters of the Gilston Area, as well as the Council, have undertaken recent engagement with Thames Water who, following the completion of recent capacity assessments, have concluded that the Rye Meads Sewerage Treatment Works can be upgraded to support forecast housing/employment growth.
The Gilston Area development will provide sufficient local health services and facilities to meet the needs of the new resident population, whilst also benefiting the existing surrounding communities. We are aware that the NHS Trust are considering options for the relocation and/or expansion of the Princess Alexandra Hospital to meet forecast growth requirements.
Yes, the area needs homes for local people, families and workers to live comfortably and affordably. This has not appeared overnight: East Herts District Council has said it needs to build at least 19,500 homes over 20 years. Harlow Council has forecast that it needs to build at least 7,500 new homes, increasing to as many as 20,000 to diversify the housing mix in the area and to support the town’s regeneration.
The scheme includes significant investment in transport so that residents can easily reach jobs in Harlow and East Herts, including a new bridge over the River Stort, new bus routes and better access to Harlow Station. Places for People have committed to working with stakeholders to provide a northern access to Harlow station to better improve connectivity.