Four Essex councils have collectively awarded AECOM a contract to investigate how North Essex could use Garden City principles to support housing growth together with the jobs and infrastructure which must come with them. Braintree District Council, Colchester Borough Council, Tendring District Council and Essex County Council have appointed AECOM to deliver a feasibility study exploring the potential for a series of new communities that will achieve the shared growth ambitions of the four councils.

AECOM’s appointment follows the Department for Communities and Local Government’s announcement in December that North Essex would receive a share of £1.1 million in new funding for initial work to develop new Garden Communities. The global infrastructure services company will work with its sub-consultant, commercial property and real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, on the feasibility study.

The North Essex Garden Communities Concept Feasibility Study will determine how Garden City principles can be applied to help deliver new high-quality, sustainable homes across a number of new settlements in the region. The study will align with the government’s objectives of creating high-quality housing and communities supported by local employment opportunities, excellent infrastructure and recreational amenities.

AECOM and Cushman & Wakefield will work with the four councils to consider the potential scale and scope of new developments, delivery mechanisms and infrastructure requirements. The study will look at new transport improvements, education and community amenities, as well as the creation of jobs. Importantly, the study will advise on how sites should be taken forward within the councils’ Local Plans.

In a statement issued by the Leaders of all four authorities they said: “The appointment of AECOM will assist the four Authorities in properly considering whether Garden Communities could be part of a sustainable solution to deliver new homes, whilst also providing sufficient employment, open space, community facilities and infrastructure.”

Tom Venables, Director, Design, Planning & Economics, AECOM said: “The most successful settlements combine transport, economic and spatial land-use planning to create communities where people want to live and work. The feasibility study is an important first step to realising these types of new developments in North Essex. Embracing Garden City principles will help the local authorities achieve their long-term growth requirements and create a legacy of high-quality, sustainable new communities.”

The North Essex Garden Communities Concept Feasibility Study is the latest Garden City win for AECOM. Last year it was appointed to deliver the framework masterplan for Ebbsfleet in North Kent, the UK’s first locally-led garden city for nearly 100 years and the first to be designated by Government. Other leading new communities projects include the award-winning North West Cambridge development and Barton Park in Oxford.

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AECOM
Rachel Brierley
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AECOM
Mobile: +44 (0)7920 533 198
rachel.brierley@aecom.com