Harlow and Gilston Garden Town – 8,500 Homes approved at Gilston Park Estate
One of Quod’s first projects, and the largest planning application ever to be considered by East Herts Council, secured resolution to grant outline planning permission on the 28th February 2023. Places for People’s scheme for 8,500 homes plus community, transport and green infrastructure, known as the Gilston Park Estate, has been over 10 years in the making and represents a successful and determined collaboration between East Herts Council, the community and Places for People with their consultant team.
The site was first identified for release from the Green Belt back in the East of England Regional Spatial Strategy (for those that can remember such documents!) However, it was the adoption of the East Herts District Plan (2018) that has provided the policy foundation for the current scheme, which is a landscape-led development of six large villages founded on Garden City principles.
The scheme represents a true team effort from Quod, involving all four teams – Planning, Socio-Economics, Environmental Planning and Development Economics – led by Philip Murphy since 2010. Services delivered include strategic site promotion; planning policy and engagement; strategic case and economic analysis; outline planning application coordination & submission; Environmental Impact Assessment coordination; and housing and community infrastructure advisory. Quod will now continue to assist Places for People with a Strategic Landscape Masterplan, and the first Village Masterplan, before detailed proposals are brought forward.
