Montare had the opportunity to take on the promotion of a 3.72ha (9 acre) parcel of land to create an innovative extension to an existing settlement.

The site had a recently failed application for 65 units which received fierce local objection. Working within a Planning Performance Agreement with Uttlesford District Council, Montare took on the comments from local stakeholders, councillors and planning officers to design a scheme that would deliver on aspects that other applications had failed to fulfil.

The early involvement of a wide team of consultants, all experts in their own fields including ecology, arboriculture, transport, drainage and heritage has meant the development of a scheme with sound design principles from the start.

Specific features such as the inclusion of a small number of commercial units designed to be exclusively available to small local business and start ups which will be let at affordable rates were provided within the scheme.

The masterplan also provides a small number of plots exclusively for self build homes. There is a high proportion of single storey dwellings and homes specifically designed to be accessible for wheelchair users.

The design incorporated a new village green as well as a number of community allotments, improvements to the existing footpaths and extending public access to existing woodland, all benefitting the wider community.

Consent for the scheme was passed at planning committee and this project is now heralded as an example of best practice for the area. This has led the local authority actively seek collaboration with Montare on additional sites.

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