Dollymans Farm
Welcome to our website for proposals on Dollymans Farm
Timeline
The Process
After consulting the community and listening to feedback, the plans for Dollymans Farm have now been submitted to Rochford District Council. The proposals are now subject to a statutory consultation period, where residents have the chance to submit their feedback on plans. We encourage you to explore the website to learn more about the different elements of the proposals. The links provided will take you directly to the relevant sections of the plans on the council’s website, where you can view the details in full.
Our vision
Last year we invited the local community to share their views on our proposals for Dollymans Farm. We’d like to thank everyone who attended our public events and took the time to send us their feedback. Since then, we’ve carefully reviewed all the comments and refined our proposals to reflect what we heard.
In November we presented our refined plans to the community, which incorporated community feedback into updated masterplan, a refined site boundary and enhancements to green spaces and community areas.
The updated plans have now been submitted to the council, giving the community another opportunity to have their say on the proposals. As you explore the website, each element of the masterplan is explained alongside the key design principles, with links that take you directly to the relevant documents on the planning portal.
Our vision aims to create a vibrant neighbourhood with new homes, health and educational facilities, attractive green spaces and an extensive network of cycleways and footpaths, all set within a strong landscape framework. With this development, Bloor Homes will help Rochford and Basildon meet its housing needs, while providing a range of options for local families. We understand the challenge of finding a suitable home, whether you’re a young family or someone looking to downsize. This development will offer a variety of housing options, giving residents the opportunity to stay in the community they love. It will also seek to address the local housing shortage in a highly sustainable location.
It’s not just about homes; it’s about creating a place that works for everyone in the community and includes supporting services and facilities.
Please explore this website to learn more about our submitted plans.
Explore Our Submitted Plans
The proposals would deliver a number of benefits for the local area, which are outlined below. Each benefit includes a link to the relevant documents on the planning portal where you can find more detail.
Click the icons at the bottom of each section to be taken to the relevant document on the Council’s planning portal
How is the project helping to meet local housing needs?
Our proposals at Dollymans Farm directly address local housing needs by delivering 1,300 new homes, 50% of which will be affordable, across a range of sizes and tenures. This will provide opportunities for people at all life stages to gain access to the housing ladder, broadening local housing choice.
Please refer to page 1 in the document.
What new spaces could bring the community together?
It is not just about building more homes; our vision understands the importance of community spaces. Bloor Homes is committed to delivering a new local centre and a village green with a wide range of possible facilities including shops and restaurants as part of a wider walkable new neighbourhood.
Please refer to page 1 in the document.
How will the plans protect and enhance green spaces?
Around 50% of the site will be dedicated to green space for the community to enjoy, including new sports pitches. The proposals will also deliver new habitats and enhancements to existing woodland, hedgerows and watercourses, achieving a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain. New areas of wildflower grassland, woodland planting, wetlands and reedbeds will support a wider range of wildlife, alongside measures such as bat and bird boxes, reptile habitats, wildlife corridors and badger underpasses to help species move safely across the site and strengthen the local ecological network.
Please refer to pages 57-58 in the document.
What could better public transport and active travel look like here?
The proposals will create a walkable neighbourhood with upgraded pedestrian and cycle routes, improved bus services, and a mobility hub in the local centre. All homes will be located within 600 metres of a bus stop, including services running through the new development. The plans also include lower speed limits on key routes to support walking and cycling, new cycleways along the A129 Southend Road, and an off-site cycle route connecting to Beauchamps High School and the local centre.
Please refer to page 46 in the document.
Improving local roads and easing congestion
ollowing the completion of the transport assessment, Bloor Homes has identified areas for improvement to support the capacity of the local road network. These include upgrades to the A129 London Road / A125 roundabout to the east of the site, with a three-lane entry on the A129 London Road western approach and new traffic signals on the A125 southern approach. Together, these measures will help improve traffic flow and reduce congestion around the site.
Please refer to pages 46-47 in the document.
Supporting infrastructure for a growing community
Bloor Homes is committed to delivering sustainable communities supported by the infrastructure needed for future growth. The proposals include a new two-form entry primary school and an early years facility, improving access to education for local families. The new school will provide places for children aged 4–11, helping to meet growing demand for primary school places in Rochford while supporting the needs of the new neighbourhood.
Please refer to page 33 in the document.
The Site
Located to the east of Wickford (Shotgate) and west of the A130, this site is strategically located to deliver a walkable new neighbourhood with homes, local centre, primary school and other facilities in a sustainable location. There are around 8 hectares of established employment uses already on site and a wide range of job opportunities close by at Wickford Business Park, in Wickford Town Centre, Rayleigh and Fanton Hall Farm.
There are other local facilities located nearby at Shotgate village centre.
The site is visually well-screened by existing landscape features and physically contained and separated from the wider countryside by existing employment areas and major infrastructure such as the A130 and the railway line. A new neighbourhood located here would help avoid areas of higher sensitivity and environmental value.
Updated Masterplan
Following feedback from the community and local stakeholders we have reviewed our masterplan. Key components of the masterplan proposal include:
Sports pitches and connected open green spaces for all to enjoy.
An access strategy that directs external traffic to the A129 and minimises impact on neighbouring residential areas, supported by funding for offsite improvements to the strategic road network.
Up to 1,300 homes offering a mix of types and tenures to accommodate various local community needs, including 50% affordable homes.
Improved connectivity, with cycle infrastructure, new bus routes as well as new footpaths and improvements to existing footpaths and the bridleway.
A new local centre at the heart of a distinctive, walkable community with flexible space for community facilities such as local retail, business, nursery and health uses.
Educational improvements including a new Primary School with Early Years on site.
Retention of existing employment areas on site and new supporting access and public transport infrastructure.
A landscape-led design that retains key landscape features and provides new play areas, walking trails, sports pitches and connected open green spaces for all to enjoy, including a natural open space area of around 20 hectares.
What Has Changed
Since our last consultation, we’ve refined the proposals for Dollymans Farm to reflect the feedback received and the findings from ongoing technical work.
In response to community feedback, we have made the following changes to our masterplan:
Woodland
- We’re retaining all the existing woodland next to Wethersfield Way and Boreham Way, alongside keeping a natural buffer between the site and nearby communities.
- The woodland will be included in a network of green spaces and natural features, with a new rainwater pond planned in the area currently used for paintballing.
Community
- The primary school has been moved closer to the village hub, helping to create a stronger community focus. The surrounding open space has also been redesigned to provide a greater sense of enclosure and activity.
- The northern gateway has been redesigned to create a stronger sense of arrival from the new eastern approach to Wickford, while the north-western gateway will have a more understated character that reflects the neighbouring community of Shotgate.
- Initial designs for open spaces have been developed, showing a variety of areas for recreation and play, including features such as a skate park and a pump track, with more to follow as the plans progress.
- The plans now also allow for a potential on-site water treatment facility, should it not be possible to connect to existing off-site infrastructure. Discussions on this are continuing.
Housing
- A new area of homes has been added to the east of Dollymans Farm to improve connections between the village hub and the south-eastern neighbourhood. The total number of homes remains the same but spreading them across a slightly larger area allows for a lower overall density and more variety in layout and character across the site.
- Higher-density areas will be located near the northern gateway, main street, school, and village hub, with lower-density areas along green spaces and landscape edges.
Virtual Exhibition
Virtual Exhibition
Virtual exhibition to be uploaded soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What has changed since the last consultation?
A: We’ve made a number of updates to the plans for Dollymans Farm in response to community feedback and ongoing technical work.
- We’re keeping all existing woodland next to Wethersfield Way and Boreham Way, maintaining a natural buffer with neighbouring communities. This area will become part of the site’s green spaces and drainage network, including a new pond to help manage rainwater in the area currently used for paintballing.
- The primary school has been moved closer to the village hub, with nearby open space redesigned to create a stronger sense of community.
- A new area of homes has been added to the east of Dollymans Farm to improve connections between neighbourhoods. The total number of homes remains the same, but they’re now spread across a larger area, allowing for lower overall density and more variety in design and layout.
- The northern gateway has been redesigned to create a stronger sense of arrival from the east, while the north-western gateway will have a softer character that reflects the nearby community of Shotgate.
- Early designs for open spaces have been developed, showing potential features such as a skate park, pump track, and other areas for play and recreation.
- The plans now also allow for a potential on-site water treatment facility, should connection to existing off-site services not be possible.
Q: How many homes are proposed?
A: This is an outline planning application, where the maximum number of homes and other key parameters relating to land uses will be agreed. The exact amount will be agreed through the future, detailed applications, but we envisage this will be up to 1,300 homes.
Q: Will the development include affordable homes?
A: Yes, the development will feature at least 50% affordable homes to accord with national planning policy, providing more opportunities for local people to get on the property ladder. A variety of tenures will be available, with the exact types and number of affordable homes to be agreed with the Council and finalised at the reserved matters detailed application stage.
Q: Will the new homes be built all at the same time?
A: No, the development will be phased and built out over a period of around 12-15 years, with a construction management plan to minimise disruption to the local area and ensure a smooth delivery of new homes, as well as associated infrastructure. The local centre and primary school would be developed at a relatively early stage to ensure that key facilities are in place when required.
Q: Will there be a Section 106 agreement as part of the planning process?
A: Yes, a Section 106 agreement will be part of the planning process, and the specific contributions will be determined as the plans progress. A S106 agreement is a legal agreement between the developer and the local authority that sets out the financial contributions and other key commitments from the developer that are directly linked to the development and are necessary to make the development acceptable.
Q: What will happen to public rights of way (PROWs) during construction?
A: During construction, the PROWs may be temporarily closed or diverted to ensure safety. However, once the development is complete, the PROWs will be reopened and enhanced. The new design will include green spaces and improved accessibility features, creating a better experience for the wider community.
Q: What retail options will be available?
A: The development will include space for a variety of convenience retail options. Bloor Homes is committed to working with the community to understand their needs and will collaborate with local businesses to provide facilities that best serve residents. This could include options such as a local café, restaurant, and a convenience store.
Q: What measures are being taken to reduce congestion and improve road safety?
A: Traffic studies are being conducted to assess local traffic and measures, such as road improvements and sustainable transport options, will be introduced to help manage flow. The measures are still being reviewed and will be set out in the planning application. There will also be improved road layouts, pedestrian crossings, and cycle paths with a focus on safe access to the secondary school at Beauchamps via the Southend Road.
Q: Will new access roads or junctions be created as part of the development?
A: Access is proposed off the A129 Southend Road in two places; firstly, at the existing junction with Doublegate Lane in the form of a roundabout junction that will replace the existing junction arrangement, a smaller secondary access will provide access to a limited portion of the site between the existing Pegasus crossing and the Hodgson Way roundabout. The secondary access will be a priority junction and allow for emergency access for the whole development, if required. There will be no access to Hodgson Way.
Q: How will local transport be impacted by the proposals?
A: As part of the application, a comprehensive Transport Assessment has been undertaken, identifying a range of appropriate mitigation measures. These include, but are not limited to, the provision of a new loop road through the site to accommodate bus services and ensure that all future residents are within 600m of a bus route; enhancements to pedestrian and cycle routes; and improvements to the A129/A125 roundabout.
Q: How will Bloor Homes positively impact the local community during the development?
A: Bloor Homes is dedicated to positively impacting the local community throughout the development’s lifetime and during construction. We plan to use local suppliers and contractors and are exploring the possibility of offering apprenticeship opportunities. Details about these apprenticeships will be confirmed as the plans progress.
Q: How will the proposed development impact local schools and educational facilities?
A: Bloor Homes has carefully considered the impact on local education services and has included provision for a new Primary School and Early Years facility.
Q: What are the next steps?
A: The plans for Dollymans Farm have now been submitted to Rochford District Council for consideration. The application is now subject to a statutory consultation period, where residents have the chance to submit their feedback on plans.
Get in touch and tell us what you think about the masterplan vision for Dollymans Farm by completing the form below.
Please be sure to share your feedback by Tuesday 3rd June so it can be taken into consideration as part of this consultation.
Get in Touch
The plans for Dollymans Farm have now been submitted. You can still contact the project team and ask any questions by:
- Emailing us with your comments, questions or feedback at: email: bloorhomes-dollymansfarm@havingyoursay.co.uk
- Calling the team on 0161 711 0293 (lines open Monday – Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm)
- Writing to us at FREEPOST SHAPE TOMORROW
ABOUT US
Bloor Homes was established in 1969 by our Chair and founder, John Bloor OBE. We remain a privately owned business with a proud history of building quality homes and are committed to delivering homes and communities with a focus on quality, design and place making, ensuring that high standards are maintained more than 55 years later.
Our dedicated team, from planners and designers to tradespeople and customer service professionals, is committed to creating well-designed, high-quality homes. This commitment has earned us a 5-star Home Builders Federation rating for six consecutive years, and over 97% of our homeowners would recommend us to family and friends.
As a financially independent and family-owned business, we bring national expertise with regional knowledge. We have a proven track record in delivering strategic land and work in partnership with landowners and councils. Our focus on locally distinctive placemaking and community engagement ensures that we build homes that contribute positively to the areas we serve. We value long-term relationships and are dedicated to creating lasting legacies through our developments.