Great Dunmow: New community and sports centre proposed

The new facilities would include sports pitches and space for 50 cars in Great Dunmow, according to plans by Bellway Homes.

If approved, it would be the latest part of a major development of 790 homes, a primary school, community buildings, open space and other infrastructure in Woodside Way, which was granted planning permission by Uttlesford District Council in 2015.

A section of a design and access statement submitted alongside the proposals read: "The land to the north of Stortford Road plays an important role in creating a new urban edge on the western side of the town and must respond to its role in defining the entrance to the town when approaching from the A120."

It continues to say the community centre and sports pavilion will create a "coherent" relationship with the open countryside to the south west of the town.

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The openness of plots of land around the building, including the sports pitches as well as allotments and general open space, will play a role in creating the intended transition between the countryside and the development.

The single-storey building will be available for the local community to use, according to the statement.

It’s appearance will borrow features from the rest of the scheme, but it will be set back from nearby streets and use the openness of its corner plot to ensure the building is easy to find.

The car park will be to the east of the pavilion, between it and the houses, and will be laid out as a loop around a green central area in a bid to discourage turning manoeuvres.

Pedestrian access would be separate to that used by cars, but would eventually merge on to the main street and align with a zebra crossing linking to the primary school.

Access by car would be from the new spine road through the site, which was approved under a separate application.

In November, district councillors voted to defer a different application to build 120 homes and a play area southwest of Hoglands Wood, bordering the site.