An urban village providing homes and new jobs looks set to be created in Chelmsford.

Fairview New Homes has applied to the borough council for outline planning consent to build 520 houses and a business centre on the site of the former Writtle Road premises of GEC Marconi.

It includes keeping the old Crompton building for use as a GP's surgery, pharmacy and shops.

The scheme is one of the largest and most important urban developments in recent years.

Developers bought the 29-acre site last June from GEC Marconi and councillors have previously supported the principle of redeveloping the area, subject to a section 106 planning agreement benefiting the borough.

The council's environment committee is being asked to approve the application at its meeting next Tuesday with a raft of conditions including traffic implications and housing design criteria.

Graham Pooley, Liberal Democrat councillor on the committee, said: " This is the first time it has come forward in this form and we welcome the opportunity to consider it in detail."

The planning agreement benefits outlined by developers in the scheme include the 4,264 sq m business centre, affordable housing, more than £1.1 million for new classrooms at Westlands County Primary school in Beeches Close.

Also included are open space, riverside walks, a new cyclepath and a new bridge over the River Can.

No-one was available for comment from Fairview New Homes.

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