Places for People Developments has been granted planning permission for Gilston Park Estate, which proposes six new villages set to deliver 8,500 new homes in East Hertfordshire
The planning application for the six new villages and 8,500 new homes, across Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, is the largest ever presented to East Herts District Council.
Almost 2,000 of the 8,500 new homes in East Hertfordshire will be made affordable.
Plans for Gilston Park Estate include:
- Two secondary schools
- Six primary schools
- Healthcare facilities
- Leisure centre and sports facilities
- New community centre
- 29,200m² of commercial and 25,100m² of retail and leisure space
The new Estate will encompass large areas of green open space, including two country parks, community gardens, and protection and enhancement of habitats to promote biodiversity.
23,000 new homes are set to be delivered in Harlow and Gilston Garden Town
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.
Adrian Bohr, CEO of Places for People Developments, comments: “We are delighted to reach this significant planning milestone, getting the go-ahead for our twenty-year plan to build an inclusive and attractive new village community in Gilston.
“Our proposals for Gilston Park Estate clearly demonstrate what sets Places for People apart. We’re not just another volume house builder; we are committed to adding lasting social value to the communities we build to make them the best for the people who will live, work and visit them. It is a responsibility we do not take lightly.”
Places for People create social value for East Hertfordshire
Places for People has provided 19,602 opportunities for young people, helped 7,787 people who were homeless or at risk of being homeless, supported 2,282 people with money advice and supported 15,727 people with education, employment and training.
The group’s National Befriending Service provides telephone support to over 230 customers who receive weekly support on issues ranging from mental health issues to loneliness. To support healthy living, Places for People also deliver social prescriptions and teach over 80,000 children to swim a week through its leisure centres.
Gilston Park Estate will create over 1,500 permanent jobs and create more than £3.5bn in GDV. Places for People will invest almost £1bn in new infrastructure and social facilities.
Places for People will collaborate closely with HGGT Partners to finalise the Section 106 legal agreement, which secures the infrastructure due to be provided. Places for People, architects JTP, and landscape architects Grant Associates will also progress the masterplan for the first village, which will include around 1,800 homes, and the Strategic Landscape Masterplan covering over 500 hectares of landscape.
