Infrastructure at heart of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council’s concerns about 1,050-home estate in Birchanger ‘back yard’

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council has voiced concerns about a 1,050-home development proposed in its “back yard”.

The chair of the planning and development committee, Cllr Richard Bower, has written to City & Country about the estate it wants to build between Stansted Mountfitchet and Birchanger, dubbed “Stanhanger”.

The Stansted-based company wants to construct “a wide range of high-quality new homes, including 50% affordable homes, to help alleviate growing housing pressure”.

It has earmarked 178 acres of agricultural land – on the southern fringe of Stansted Mountfitchet, to the west of Stansted Airport and north and north-west of Birchanger – for the project.

City & Country is banking on the Labour Government changing planning rules to allow “grey belt” development.

The developer promises: “The scheme will be designed sensitively around the existing important and historic woodlands, and the introduction of new landscape features and species-rich plants will enhance the biodiversity value of the site and provide improved green spaces for the community to promote healthy lifestyles and nurture wellbeing.

“Additionally, the site has the potential to create an exciting new hub of residential and leisure opportunities while respecting the landscape character of the local area.”

That infrastructure is at the heart of the town council’s concerns.

Cllr Bower said: “While this development sits outside our parish boundaries, it will be very close to Bishop’s Stortford – at some points less than two miles – so clearly has an impact on our community.”

He said the land formed part of the Green Belt around the town and argued: “We cannot see how in any circumstances these fields could be described as ‘grey belt’ as defined by the Government.”

He stressed: “Our primary concern is the impact on the civic infrastructure of Bishop’s Stortford.

“The new residents coming to these developments will need doctors, dentists, schools and recreational facilities, for example swimming pools, and will look to the nearest town – Bishop’s Stortford – for their provision.

“It is not clear from your proposals whether any of these facilities will be delivered as part of this development – your website simply refers to ‘a sustainable location which is close to surrounding services such as a primary school and a village hall’.

“Any assessment of the impact of this development needs to include the availability of GP appointments, school places and other services in Stortford, not just the neighbouring villages.”

Cllr Bower pointed out that Bishop’s Stortford was already dealing with pressure from the developments of St Michael’s Hurst, Stortford Fields and St James’ Park.

He said: “To be clear, as a town council we are not opposed to development… But we have to consider the impact of large-scale development in our back yard on the already pressurised public infrastructure in our town.”

Stansted and Birchanger parish councils have voiced concerns about the estate, which they fear will merge the two villages.

The site is bordered by Forest Hall Road in Stansted to the north and Birchanger to the south, and by Tot Lane – a single-track road linking Forest Hall Road and Birchanger Lane – to the west and the M11 to the east.

It also includes a single field just north of the A120 bypass bordered by the B1383 and the foot of Birchanger Lane.