Frequently Asked Questions
We know that the submitted plans will raise questions and we want to make sure you have clear, straightforward answers.
Following our consultation last year, we have listened to local feedback and revised our plans for Land at North Benfleet Road, reshaping the scheme around what matters most to the community.
Below, we have answered the questions we are asked most often, covering everything from housing and schools to traffic, green space and how the development will benefit local people.
If your question isn’t answered here, you can contact us at Northbenfleethall@devcomms.co.uk
What is being proposed at Land at North Benfleet Hall Road?
Croudace Homes has submitted an outline planning application for a new community of up to 950 homes, half of them affordable, alongside a new local centre, land for a primary school, extensive green open space and a publicly accessible country park.
The proposals also include new walking and cycling routes, a new bus service and improvements to local roads.
Who is Croudace Homes?
Croudace Homes is a family-owned housebuilder, founded in 1946 which builds homes throughout the East of England.
Croudace Homes is committed to delivering high quality new homes which is reflected by it having been awarded the prestigious Home Builders Federation (HBF) five-star Home Builder for customer satisfaction award, each year between 2013 – 2024.
What is an outline planning application?
As this is an outline planning application, certain aspects of the proposed development can be ‘reserved matters’ – i.e. those which are not submitted as part of the main outline application and ‘reserved’ for later determination by the Council. The proposed detailed ‘access’ arrangements to and within the site are, however, submitted for consideration as part of the outline application. An illustrative housing mix is proposed, with the precise mix to be detailed at reserved matters stage having regard to market conditions at the relevant time.
What is a reserved matters planning application?
Why is this development needed?
Basildon needs over 27,000 new homes over the next twenty years to meet demand, with more than 10,000 of these needing to be affordable.
Demand for temporary accommodation in Basildon has risen tenfold since 2019 and many residents are living in insecure or unsuitable housing.
This scheme will help address that shortfall.
How many homes will be built?
The proposals are for up to 950 new homes, including specialist housing. This is a reduction from the larger scheme previously consulted on, made in response to feedback and to align more closely with the council’s emerging draft Local Plan.
Why have you reduced the number of homes since the last consultation?
We listened to feedback from the community and stakeholders and revised our plans accordingly. The smaller scheme still delivers the things people told us matter, including the local centre, the primary school and early years facility and high-quality green space.
Will the homes be affordable and available to local people?
Yes. 50% of all the new homes would be affordable, one of the highest proportions of any scheme of this size.
The development will provide a mix of homes to buy, affordable homes prioritised for local people, specialist housing to meet local needs and plots for people who want to build their own home.
Will there be a new school?
The proposals include land for a new primary school. A secondary school is not part of this application, as the development on its own does not generate the demand for one, but land could be made available in future if the education authority decides this is the right location for one in Basildon.
What about pressure on local GP services?
We are in ongoing discussions with the South and Mid Essex Integrated Care Board about how the development can support local health provision.
How will the development support sustainable travel and local roads?
Vehicle access would be taken from two points on Pound Lane. The scheme includes a new bus service running through the development, new and improved walking and cycling routes, upgrades to existing public rights of way and a Travel Plan to make walking, cycling and public transport easy everyday choices.
All parking would be provided within the site and we are continuing positive discussions with Essex County Council Highways on improvements to the surrounding road network.
What green space and play areas will the development provide?
Green space is central to our plans. More than half the site would be open space. This includes a publicly accessible country park with walking routes and parking, alongside natural green spaces and amenity parkland, all designed to a standard Natural England is satisfied with.
For recreation there would be two equipped children’s play areas and a larger neighbourhood play area, two grass sports pitches and around 2,000 new trees, with green links running across the site from north to south and east to west.
How will you protect wildlife and nature?
We will retain and enhance existing trees, hedgerows and habitats and create extensive new planting, green walkways and habitats for wildlife.
The scheme delivers biodiversity net gain well above the 10% national requirement, including almost 30% net gain in habitat units, with new green links across the site keeping high quality green space within easy reach of every home.
How will the development affect existing nearby residents?
We have revised the layout to respond to local feedback, including moving the homes nearest the existing properties at North Benfleet plotlands further away to increase the buffer between new and existing homes. Parcels of land to the south have also been removed from the scheme.
What will the development bring to the local economy?
As a family business, we believe in investing locally through jobs, services and lasting infrastructure.
The development represents around £205 million of investment in the local area. During construction it would support up to 45 jobs a year directly, plus around 70 more through the supply chain, across a build of roughly twelve years, generating in the region of £12.9 million a year for the economy.
Once complete, the local centre and community uses could provide up to 155 jobs on site, and the development would generate around £2.1 million a year in council tax for Basildon Council, along with additional business rates.
When would building start and how long would it take?
Subject to planning permission, construction is expected to begin in 2028, with the first homes completed in 2029.
The development would be built in phases over around twelve years, with completion anticipated by the end of 2040. The country park, school and local centre would be brought forward in step with the homes, in agreement with the council.
How can I find out more or show your support?
The application has been submitted to Basildon Borough Council and can be viewed on the council’s online planning portal under reference 26/00530/OUT. If you support the proposals, you can register your support with the council through the portal.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the team, please do not hesitate to get in touch via the contact details below:
We would be happy to provide physical copies of the consultation information on this site. If you require these, please get in touch.