Over 50% of the Garden Town’s Gilston village area will be made up of public, open and natural green space and residents can find out more about those landscaping aspirations at two upcoming events with the developers.
Gilston features 10,000 homes across seven villages with Places for People and Taylor Wimpey bringing forward the development that was given an agreement for approval by Garden Town partner, East Herts Council, last year.
The two drop-in sessions on Saturday 20th July 2024 will be held at:
• Harvey Centre – 9.30am – 1.00pm, (Harvey Centre Approach, Harlow CM20 1XR)
• Hunsdon Village Hall – 2.00pm – 6.00pm (SG12 8NJ)
Residents will get an overview of the public open space, sports and play areas, spaces for ecology, green and blue infrastructure, planting and buffers, as well as landscape character areas which are due to come forward surrounding the villages that make up the Gilston area.
The design of the emerging masterplan and landscape areas have taken into account feedback received through previous local community working group events.
Outlined in Gilston’s social impact statement and the Garden Town Vision, landscape delivery will see:
• 5 major new parks
• New hedgerow connections
• Species rich grassland
• New woodland pasture
• Plantation of broadleaved woodland
• New allotments and community orchards
• Contribution to Stort Valley Improvements
• 10% minimum biodiversity net gain across the site as a whole
Sammie Steele, Managing Director of Placemaking and Regeneration at Places for People, said: “The masterplan unveiled at the events is the culmination of years of close engagement with the local community to deliver on the ambitions for Gilston, set out in the Council’s local plan, the Parish’s neighbourhood plan and the outline planning applications for the Gilston area.
“Over half of the Gilston area will be made up of public, open and natural green space, making this masterplan fundamental as we also look to deliver the village masterplans for the development parcels within the new community.
“We would encourage members of the community from across the local area to come to the events, share their views and learn more about the exciting developments coming forward as part of Gilston.”
Jonathan Locke, Senior Planning Manager at Taylor Wimpey, added: “Taylor Wimpey are looking forward to seeing the exciting vision for the Gilston Area become reality.
“The strategic landscape masterplan is a key element in ensuring the innovative, sustainable and landscape led plans for the Gilston Area are realised.
“The landscape areas around Village 7 will be delivered early in the Gilston Area, alongside those around Village 1, and so will play an important role in ensuring the emerging Gilston development is set in an attractive and functional landscape which brings communities together, whilst providing enhancements for wildlife.
“We look forward to continuing the discussion with members of the community about how we can work together to ensure the strategic landscape areas around Village 7 are a resounding success.”
The development will deliver a significant number of benefits and opportunities for the local community from job creation, school places, leisure and sport opportunities, significant open space including play areas and parks.
For more information on the events: Gilston@meeting-place.uk
