Harlow and Gilston Garden Town

In order to help meet the challenging level of housing need in East Herts, the council has allocated land in the Gilston Area for a new development of 10,000 homes.

In addition to new homes, the site will deliver a significant amount of new infrastructure including schools, health facilities and parks. Substantial financial contributions will also be made to off-site infrastructure, such as new roads and bridges to improve connectivity over the River Stort. 

The Gilston Area forms part of the wider Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT), which was designated a Garden Town by the Ministry for Homes, Communities and Local Government in January 2017, and will include the development of 23,000 new homes across new neighbourhoods to the east, west, and south of Harlow, and the Gilston Area to the north. East Herts District Council is working with Harlow Council, Epping Forest District Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Essex County Council and Homes England to plan this growing community and to ensure that we deliver a development of the highest quality and that is reflective of Garden Town principles.

Further details about the HGGT and its associated publications which are a material consideration in planning decision making can be viewed on the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town website.

As well as working with other local authorities and statutory bodies, the council is committed through its Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and District Plan to ensuring that engagement with the local community at every stage of the planning process is undertaken. A Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy has been produced with input from representatives of the local parishes, which aims to establish how the various parties involved in the growth of the Gilston Area will undertake engagement, collaboration and co-operation with the community at various stages of the planning process. 

Latest News

East Herts and Harlow Councils determined the Central Stort Crossing and Eastern Stort Crossing applications at their respective Development Management Committees held on 22 and 23 February 2022 respectively.  

The Listed Building Consent application was approved by the East Herts Development Management Committee on 2 March 2022.  

Both Councils issued the Decision Notices and granted planning permission on 18 March 2022. The Councils have also prepared an EIA Statement [202KB pdf] required by the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2017 (as amended).

East Herts Council is currently considering the detail of the submitted Outline applications. It is likely that the determination of the Outline applications will be delayed until Summer 2022.

Everyone who responded will be notified about when a decision will be taken on the applications.

Please see the Gilston Area Planning Applications Summary for a summary of the various planning applications and our Harlow and Gilston Frequently Asked Questions page which provides further details on the project.

Copies of all the information submitted in support of the applications below can be found by visiting our planning portal using the references set out below, where you can also make comments online. In order for comments to be taken into account in the determination of the two crossings applications they must be received no later than 5pm on 1 July 2022.

Applications Currently Being Considered:

1.  Outline planning application with all matters reserved apart from external vehicular access for a mixed use development of up to 8,500 homes for a part of the Gilston Area (East Herts Council Reference 3/19/1045/OUT);

2.   Outline application with all matters reserved apart from external vehicular access for a mixed use development of up to 1,500 homes for part of the Gilston Area (Village 7) (East Herts Reference 3/19/2124/OUT);

Applications Determined:  

3.   Detailed planning application for alterations to the existing Fifth Avenue bridge (East Herts Council Reference 3/19/1046/FUL, Harlow Council Reference HW/CRB/19/00220) – granted permission 18 March 2022;

4.   Detailed planning application for erection of a new road, pedestrian and cycle bridge (East Herts Council Reference 3/19/1051/FUL, Harlow Council Reference HW/CRB/19/00221) - granted permission 18 March 2022.

Comments may also be made in writing, sending them to East Herts Council at Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8EQ. All comments should be directed only to East Herts Council which will be making them available to Harlow Council where applicable. 

Copies of the information can be inspected our offices in Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford. Appointments need to be made in advance to visit the offices via the Contact us page on our website or by calling 07739 285526.

Gilston Area Concept Framework and Council Report (approved as a Material planning Consideration on 25 July 2018)

2021 updates

2020 updates

2019 updates

2018 updates

2017 updates

August 2017

24th July - 8th September 2017

Gilston Area Concept Framework Consultation

The Council ran a consultation to provide residents and stakeholders the chance to provide feedback on the draft Gilston Area Concept Framework. The Concept Framework sets out what the development could potentially look like and will be used to help create more detailed plans. The responses received during the consultation will help support the proposed allocation of the Gilston Area within the District Plan. The draft Concept Framework is available to view using the links below:

The developers hosted a drop in session on 5th August 2017 at the Manor of Groves Hotel in High Wych. The information boards that were on display can be viewed on the Gilston Park Estate website.

July 2017

June 2017

May 2017

East Herts, Harlow and Epping Forest Councils have commissioned ARUP to provide programme management support and to establish a governance structure for the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town. In addition, Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners (AMUP) have been commissioned to focus on 'visioning' and the preparation of a design charter. The commissioning briefs for the two projects can be viewed below:

April 2017

March 2017

East Herts, Harlow and Epping Forest Councils received a further £175,000 from the Government for the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town project.

The District Plan was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 31st March. The District Plan seeks to allocate sites for development up to 2033 and beyond. The Gilston Area forms a key part of the overall development strategy for the District. More information, including the forthcoming examination process is available on our District Plan Examination pages.

January 2017

East Herts council, along with Harlow and Epping Forest councils, were awarded a government grant of £500,000 to support proposals for a Garden Town at Harlow and Gilston. The Garden Town project will see approximately 16,500 new homes built in Harlow and the surrounding area by 2033, including around 3,000 homes in the Gilston Area. The grant was provided to help fund the significant amount of technical work required to deliver this ambitious project.

Gilston Area community engagement workshop 1- Introduction to the Gilston Area. The first community workshop was held with attendees representing East Herts, the County Council, the developers and community representatives.