Maldon District Council to grant planning permission for a revised application at Burnham Waters, the new retirement community in Essex

On Tuesday 24th January 2024, Maldon District Council resolved to grant planning permission for a revised planning application, to transform the intended care home in Phase 1 at Burnham Waters, the new retirement community in Essex, into two separate apartment complexes.

Initial plans for Burnham Waters included a care home situated in the central area of Phase 1, as well as 50 affordable apartments. Despite a considerable effort by both Burnham Waters and the Council, no interest from any Housing Associations could be secured to purchase the approved affordable, 50 independent living extra care apartments (which formed part of the Section 106 agreement).  

However, Chelmer Housing Partnership has agreed in principle to purchase 20, affordable one-bedroom units on the site. As a result, the initial plan has undergone a revision.

After considerable dialogue with the planning department at Maldon District Council, Burnham Waters, new retirement community in Essex, made an application to change the number of affordable homes to be delivered in Phase 1, from 50 affordable independent living extra care units to 20 one-bedroom affordable units, with a payment made to the Council (a commuted sum) for the balance of the affordable homes.  The Council will use these funds to directly meet affordable needs across the District.  In addition, a further 20, one and two-bedroom units, which will be available for private sale, have been resolved to be approved in lieu of the care home as well.  All apartments will only be available to the over 55s, and these 40 new homes will be delivered in two separate apartment complexes, becoming Phase 1B.

As a result of the proposed changes, Burnham Waters will also deliver a commuted sum for a further 12 affordable homes (in addition to the 50 initially specified), resulting in 20 on-site affordable apartments and payment to the Council of a commuted sum for the balance of 42 affordable units.

The Council and the team at Burnham Waters will now work together to deliver the revised proposals, through the new planning permission and an amended Section 106 agreement to ensure the continued provision of affordable housing, throughout the entirety of this project.

Ian Holloway, Project Director, Burnham Waters: “We are delighted that the Council supports our proposed changes to Phase 1 at Burnham Waters. We will now be pressing ahead on site in earnest, to get the newly approved affordable units delivered as soon as possible. It is so important to us that affordable housing remains an inclusive element of the development, and these changes now offer a viable route forward for us all.”

Holloway adds: “Despite the approved changes, the care home remains a key component of the vision at Burnham Waters and will be delivered in a later phase. In addition to this, Phase 2 of the project will include the introduction of more affordable housing options. While Phase 1 focused on affordable apartments, at the request of the Council, Phase 2 will also include 20 affordable bungalows, at the request of the Council – to reflect local demand for housing of this type.”

Burnham Waters is a vibrant new retirement community in Essex for the over 55s, situated in Burnham-on-Crouch.

Since an official opening in October 2023, Burnham Waters has  proved popular with local buyers, keen to become a part of this thriving new community. A number of purchasers have already reserved their new homes here, with the first residents expected to move in from March this year.

Last weekend, the sales team ran an ‘Assisted Move’ event. Over 50 people attended the event, to view the show home and to explore how the Assisted Move scheme could help them to sell their existing home, freeing them up to secure a new home at Burnham Waters, the new retirement community.

If you’d like to know more about our community for the over 55’s in Essex, simply email us at info@burnhamwaters.co.uk, call our sales team on 01621 861559, or complete our enquiry a little more information.

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