Residents to Shape Water Lane Masterplan

Local communities and businesses will help shape the masterplan for the Garden Town’s Water Lane development after HGGT’s Joint Committee approved a stakeholder engagement framework for the proposed site on Monday evening (Feb 10).

Stretching from Harold’s Grove to Jack’s Hatch and incorporating areas of Tylers Cross and Broadley Common, Water Lane is set to feature around 2100 homes and associated infrastructure to the west of Harlow.

The stakeholder engagement framework for Water Lane will see the developers, Manor Oak Homes, Martin Grant Homes, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey collaborating on the plan with the HGGT Team and officers from Epping Forest District Council.

Explaining how the stakeholder engagement framework process will work, Peter van der Zwan from Epping Forest DC said: “We’re looking to gain key stakeholder views ahead of drawing up the actual Water Lane masterplan and seeking insight on how future development can be successfully integrated into the existing Harlow neighbourhoods, ensuring that the development delivers benefits for the wider community.

“The expectation is that the program will engage existing parish councils, ward members, community groups and representatives, including resident groups, associations and local businesses as a minimum.

“We’ll also be exploring the opportunity to develop a community panel which puts local people at the heart of decision making.”

Last month saw East Herts Council issue planning permission for 10,000 Garden Town homes across seven villages in Gilston while a planning application for HGGT’s Latton Priory site was submitted to Epping Forest DC by Hallam Land and CEG last year.

East of Harlow had a Supplementary Planning Document for the site agreed by HGGT partners in 2024 while Harlow Council gave an agreement for approval to the development’s first 38 homes from Anderson Group.  

Describing next steps for Water Lane, Peter said: “HGGT’s partners and the developers will now draw up a project plan, setting out a program of events and agreed milestones which will enable the commencement of the engagement process.”