Vectos

Members of East Herts Planning Committee resolved to grant permission for Gilston Park Estate earlier this month. The 8,500-home development is the largest planning application the Council has considered since it was formed in 1974.

The six new villages that form part of the settlement will also deliver six primary schools and two secondary schools, up to 25,100 square metres of retail and leisure floorspace, up to 29,200 square metres of business or commercial floorspace, and new open spaces and public realm.

The final plan is set to include a seventh village, bringing the total number of new homes at Gilston to 10,000. The site forms part of the wider Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, which has been earmarked by the government for the delivery of 23,000 new homes.

Vectos Director David Bird said he is delighted with the outcome to provide much-needed homes, having been involved in the project for the past 12 years.

“Sustainable mobility, local living and climate have been key to the vision since the project’s inception. The proposals address climate change by shaping places around the community’s needs and reducing reliance on cars by creating high-quality shared transport options and active travel infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling.

“Design work has already commenced on the segregated waking, cycleway and rapid transit bus lane infrastructure, and the Sustainable Transport Corridor along the A1019 will connect the new settlement with Harlow’s town centre and railway station.”

Places for People are creating a new community that makes it easier and simpler to leave the car at home. The new sustainable transport corridors will provide safer, segregated walking and cycling infrastructure and high-quality bus rapid transit, providing consistent shuttle services every few minutes.

Gilston Park Estate will create over 1,500 permanent jobs and create more than £3.5bn in GDV and Places for People will invest almost £1bn in new infrastructure and social facilities.