A proposed new railway station for Chelmsford that will open up the delivery of 4,000 homes to the north of the city is set to receive £12million of Local Growth Fund support via the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).
At its February Accountability Board meeting, SELEP agreed to release the funds for Beaulieu Park station, subject to further Government support from the Housing Infrastructure Fund being confirmed.
Growth ambitions
The board heard that strategic infrastructure is needed to support Chelmsford in its ambitions to be a location for significant new development.
The north of the city is a key focus for growth, with 4,000 homes earmarked for the area. Of these, 1,100 have received outline planning permission subject to the provision of a new station at Beaulieu Park or an alternative sustainable transport system.
In addition, Chelmsford City Council’s draft Local Plan proposes 3,000 homes and a 45,000m2 office and business park in north east Chelmsford, 1,100 homes in Great Leighs and 450 homes in Broomfield up to 2036, with a further 2,500 homes in north east Chelmsford beyond that.
George Kieffer, Essex vice chair of SELEP, said: “Chelmsford’s transport network is a constraint to its potential growth. There is neither the desire nor the space to expand the city centre’s roads and Chelmsford station, the largest two platform station outside of London, is unable to be expanded to cater for such a significant growth in demand.
“Clearly a new station is needed to provide connectivity for residents and employers within Essex and to London and further afield.
“Improved access to the rail network through Beaulieu Park will also be a great benefit for the growing communities in the Heart of Essex, such as Maldon, Heybridge, Great Dunmow and Braintree.”
Outline planning consent has already been granted for the station on the eastern side of Beaulieu, next to the junction of the A12, A138 and B1137.
George Kieffer added: “The Local Growth Fund is designed to support projects that deliver jobs and new homes and help generate economic growth.
“SELEP is delighted to have been able to approve the allocation of such a significant contribution towards the new station at Beaulieu Park.”