Masterplanning

The Strategic Landscape Masterplan is a framework for the green spaces around and between villages. It provides requirements and guidance for future proposals for land uses such as sports and recreation and for the creation and management of new and existing habitats to support wildlife. The Masterplan contains regulatory plans and a design code.

The Village 1 Masterplan provides requirements and guidance for the future detailed design stage of the village development. Village 1 provides land for a primary and secondary school, nursery, older persons living, and a village centre within which uses such as retail and commercial units will be located. The sustainable transport corridor that connects every village will benefit from a prioritised route through the centre, ensuring that schools and day to day facilities are well connected with the rest of the development and with key destinations in Harlow and beyond. The village centre will also include space for a healthcare centre and community facilities. Space for sports, recreation and play spaces will be located within walking distance of homes and new walking and cycling connections will be made to existing communities in Eastwick and Gilston.

The Village 7 Masterplan provides requirements and guidance for the future detailed design stage of the village development. Village 7 is the western gateway into the Gilston Area development. The village will enable the restoration and re-use of heritage assets into thriving community and work spaces, the delivery of a primary school, green corridors and a community park area including a dedicated football hub. The sustainable transport corridor through the centre of the village will connect through to Village 1, to key destinations in Harlow and beyond. Village 7 will create local retail and commercial uses and a community heat hub facility providing on-site energy generation serving each new home.

Following almost a year of engagement with the council and local stakeholders work is almost complete on masterplans for Villages 5 and 6. These masterplans are vital in unlocking the detailed design and delivery stage of the sustainable transport corridor through the southern part of the Gilston Area development, making way for the provision of frequent and regular bus services for new residents. We anticipate the submission of these two masterplans in the Autumn.
 

How will the community be involved?

Supporting the adoption of the East Herts District Plan, the Council, Gilston Area landowners and the local community came together to prepare and finalise the Gilston Area Concept Framework. This sets out substantial further detail with regard to the proposals for the development of the Gilston Area.

In addition to the Concept Framework, the Council has also produced the Gilston Area Charter SPD. The Charter will support the production of Masterplans and Design Codes specific to the Gilston Area Villages.

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. 

Each developer will be building upon the Community Engagement Strategy and agreeing with the Council team how they will ensure members of the local community are engaged in the masterplanning exercises and how their input has influenced decisions.