Harlow and Gilston Garden Town
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.