An area of Green Belt in Stansted is at the centre of a proposed land deal that could secure “exceptional community benefits”.
The grassland measuring approximately 4 acres (1.6ha) off Church Road, owned by the Gemmill family, who developed Elms Farm, has been put forward as a possible site for developing around 150 new homes.
But it all hinges on whether Stansted Parish Council can persuade Uttlesford District Council (UDC) as the planning authority to waive the Green Belt restriction by securing benefits such as a new community centre, more cemetery land and almshouses.
It has asked for more time to negotiate with the landowners, but still needs to act quickly before the draft Local Plan is finalised and before time runs out to spend the £800,000 left in trust for the almshouses.
Members of Wednesday’s (April 10) full council agreed to task Cllrs Peter Jones and Jamie Hogg with negotiating the landowners, updating UDC of its plans and asking it to consider spreading the housing allocation included in the draft Local Plan to include the site.
Cllr Jones told the meeting: “We have been asked if we wish to pursue this and we need to do it now because officers [at Uttlesford] will take it to the relevant members and they will decide whether or not to remove from the Green Belt this site of the proposed development.
“That will only happen if we can say that it will have exceptional benefits which should override the removal of Green Belt status.
“The landowner has confirmed what they are offering which would cover new almshouses, land to extend the cemetery, maybe traffic claiming provision – quite a lot of things that would help the south of the village.
“The considerations are 150 new homes plus almhouses, which if we don’t find a site for very quickly, we will lose the £800,000 for this community.”
With a total of 390 homes earmarked in the Local Plan for land north of Walpole Meadows and east of High Lane, an extra 150 homes would significantly increase the village’s quota, he added. “We need to discuss with the district council whether they would support juggling the numbers on the other sites so any increase is significantly mitigated.
“But we have to bear in mind the pressure the district council is under. I suspect they will stick firmly with these sites already in the plan.”
Cllr Hogg said the parish council was in the “unique” position of being able to seek maximum gains for the village. The land was valued at around £20 million back in 2019, he told the meeting.
“We are in a very unique position – we are being asked by the district council whether we want it to be considered at all so we hold the key to that land moving forward. What’s the best we can get for the community?”
Cllr Jones said he felt confident the landowner would respond quickly. “Of all the dealings I’ve had with the Gemmills they are very upfront...If they make a commitment they stick to it.”