Essex

Chelgate has been providing political engagement and community consultation support to our clients for over 35 years. Over the past decade, we have worked on approaching 100 projects totalling over 50,000 dwellings. Almost 27,000 of those dwellings, some 58 projects, have been in the North Thames region, which includes Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Berkshire.

In Essex, we have worked in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Maldon, Rochford, Tendring, Uttlesford and Thurrock. A total of 17,433 dwellings over 39 projects. A selection of projects are included below and on our Strategic land and site promotion and housing pages.

The North Thames team is led by Michael Hardware, supported by Ian Ward and Chris White. Michael is a district and county cabinet member in Essex, Ian is a district councillor, former strategic planning portfolio holder for 10 years, and Chris is the former district council leader and a county councillor.

Billericay, Basildon, Essex

Chelgate Local has been helping promote this greenbelt site for 480 homes west of Billericay for Redrow Eastern for almost a decade. We have been building and maintaining relationships with politicians, residents, stakeholders and residents’ groups, through three iterations of the local plan, including six changes of council administration. The site was allocated in the local plan which was withdrawn by the council in 2022. An application was submitted in 2019, which was revised in 2023 and approved in 2025.

Rochford Park, Essex

Rochford Park, a 130-hectare site located north of Rochford, will offer 3,000 climate-positive homes with significant energy savings for residents. This development aims to set a benchmark for how housing can actively contribute to mitigating climate change. The project will utilise the innovative BIOHAUS® building system, which incorporates sustainable and locally sourced hemp alongside timber as the primary building material. The project will be a low-density “forest living” development designed to offer a wide range of benefits, including community, education, health, sports, and leisure facilities, along with the planting of 100,000 trees. This project will feature significant infrastructure and amenities accessible to both new residents and the wider community, fostering a well-integrated community that harmonises with the existing environment. The development will be community-focused, with ongoing stewardship managed by a community trust. The existing community is actively involved from the outset, contributing to the plans and proposals through a stakeholder forum and extensive local engagement.

Brentwood, Essex

Chelgate has been assisting Tesco promote its Hopefield site for 450+ new homes into the Brentwood local plan review. The proposals include complete new facilities for the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary and a school drop-off facility for the UK’s busiest school Road, Sawyer Hall lane. The local plan review got under way during 2023.

Heybridge North Garden Suburb, Essex

Chelgate assisted Bellway Thames Gateway with navigating planning at Maldon District council for 262 new homes on three parcels within the Heybridge North Garden Community, masterplanned by Countryside. The committee originally deferred its decision but subsequently consented the application unanimously in December 2022.

Rayleigh, Rochford, Essex

We are assisting Crest Nicholson promote a site for 500 homes into the Rochford local plan review. The site includes significant new facilities for the local youth football club and other local groups, homes for older people and a local centre. The Rochford local plan is expected to be submitted by July 2026.

To discuss a project in Essex, please contact Michael Hardware, Director of Planning and Property, on 020 7939 7989 or email.