AN application for up to 385 new homes on agricultural land to the north of Chadwell St Mary has now been lodged with Thurrock Council and will be presented to the authority's planning committee.

The proposals, lodged by CJC Chadwell St Mary Ltd, relate to land north of Godman Road, Cedar Road and Barry Close, and adjacent to Heath Road.

They were first reported on Thurrock Nub News in September last year when the council responded approvingly to a request by the developers that they be excused the need to apply for and provide an environmental impact scoping submission. That meant developers could move head at more speed and also saves them considerable money.

Since that submission was approved, the developer appears to have added up to 35 additional homes to its original proposal.

According to the newly submitted outline application, development would be limited to a maximum height of 2.5 storeys, with ridge heights capped at 10.5 metres to keep the scale of housing controlled.

The accompanying masterplan says the developer places strong emphasis on open space and green infrastructure, particularly across the northern part of the site.

The site covers around 15.79 hectares of farmland.

Land to the north includes further agricultural fields, a former farmhouse known as Heath Place, Hornsby Lane, and two National Grid power lines and pylons.

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A provisional plan of the new estate layout.

Developers say the site is capable of accommodating residential development through 'a landscape‑led approach which integrates green infrastructure, protects key views and creates a defined settlement edge'.

The application highlights good access to the wider road network via the A13, M25 junction 31 and the Dartford Crossing, as well as nearby schools, shops and local facilities.

Previous planning applications for the land were refused due to concerns including the loss of Green Belt and high‑quality agricultural land, drainage issues, access from Heath Road, and a lack of off‑site highway improvements.

A number of recent applications have targeted Chadwell as a potential growth area. They include a proposal for 1,500 new homes to be built that will extend Chadwell St Mary eastwards – towards the planned new 830-1,000 home development already given permission to the west of Linford and East Tilbury. Thurrock Council was by-passed in that decision, with the government giving approval following a planning hearing in November.

Recent council planning committee approval was granted for 115 new homes to be build on land adjacent to Chadwell Hill.