North Thames Region

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.

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, Ian is a district councillor, a former strategic planning portfolio holder for 10 years, and Chris is the former Hertfordshire district council leader and a county councillor.

Harpenden, St Albans, Hertfordshire

The Crest Nicholson site north east of Harpenden has been allocated in the St Albans local plan submitted in December 2024. The allocation is for 900 homes, with the Crest site around 490 homes plus a primary school, local centre and sports facilities. Chelgate Local has assisted with political and community engagement including events and workshops, liasing with local groups to ensure their voices have been heard. Depending upon the local plan, a planning application is likely to be submitted during 2025.

Billericay, Basildon, Essex

Chelgate Local has been helping promote this greenbelt site for 580 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 several iterations of the local plan, including five changes of council administration in as many years. The site was allocated in the local plan which was withdrawn by the council in 2022.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 will come to committee in 2025.

West Hemel, Hertfordshire

This development of 900 new homes to the west of Hemel was promoted jointly by Barratt DWH and Taylor Wimpey. We assisted with the political engagement as the planning application came forward for consideration by the committee at Dacorum Council. It was approved in 2020.

Wokingham, Berkshire

We are assisting Berkeley Homes with political and community engagement around a planning application for circa 375 homes in Wokingham. Proposals include a community building with flexible space for local classes and events and an on site SANG.

Birchall Garden Suburb, Hertfordshire

A proposed garden suburb to provide for the housing and social needs of the local community. The site neatly straddles East Herts and Welwyn Hatfield councils, providing a total of more than 2,556 homes, three schools, shops and other facilities. Whilst it is in the green belt it has been allocated in both emerging local plans. East Herts DC local plan was adopted in 2018 whereas the Welwyn Hatfield local plan was adopted in 2023.

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