Warren Farm – update

On October 15, the Policy Board of Chelmsford City Council will debate a proposal to abandon the proposed bus exit/extrance from the Warren Farm site onto Avon Road replacing it with an improved cycle and pedestrian exit/entrance.  If this change is agreed it will go forward for ratification by the full City Council the following month.

As you know your Parish Council has opposed this site since it was first proposed in 2015. Our key objection has always been traffic congestion. You supported us at public meetings with hundreds present and in subsequent consultations organised by the City Council with similar numbers all objecting and highlighting the problems for our village.

Despite all our endeavours the Chelmsford Local Plan was approved by an independent examiner and endorsed by the new City Council on May 27, 2020.

We now face a new proposal which will mean that all motor vehicles will be prohibited from leaving or entering the site using Avon Road.  All vehicles will have to use the Roxwell Road including all buses travelling to and from Chelmsford.

We have been told by Essex Highways that for a development of this size there is need to be a second exit/entry as well as the Roxwell Road and the current Masterplan, containing the bus exit, has been agreed by Crest Nicholson and the Planning Department of the City Council.

This significant change has never been considered in the last five years and the Avon Road bus exit has been on every plan during that period. A few weeks ago, you will have received in the post a copy of the Masterplan from the developer, Crest Nicholson. If this change is agreed you can tear it up as “the goalposts have been moved”!

I believe this move is both undemocratic and will have a long lasting negative impact for all of us who live in our wonderful village.

Because of the Covid restrictions we are unable to arrange a public meeting for you and there are no plans from the City Council for any consultation with you before the decision is taken.

We will be doing all we can, on your behalf, to stop this unacceptable move.

Kind regards,

Chris Hibbitt

Chair, Writtle Parish Council