FAQs

We’re still in the planning process and we’ve not yet submitted a planning application. If approved, work is unlikely to start before the middle of 2026.

We aim to deliver affordable housing that meets the needs of our local community. Once the redevelopment is completed, we’ll be letting these homes through the usual process at CHP. This sees CHP work with Chelmsford City Council to allocate homes. All the existing residents at Andrews Place have the opportunity to return to the new development should they wish and, if so, will be allocated a home.

The existing properties are coming to the end of their life and will need lots of work to improve the quality of the home for the future - with upgrades required to ensure they remain warm and safe. The room sizes are also much smaller than current space standards. When looking to modernise the homes, we reviewed the best use of money and investment and saw the potential to increase the number of modern, warm and safe housing for local people.

If planning is approved and we’re able to start in 2026, we anticipate the redevelopment will be completed by 2029.

Our aim is to deliver around 250 homes.

Within our proposals we’re looking at modern apartment buildings, as well as houses as part of the redevelopment. 

Yes. All the proposed plans feature communal spaces – including green spaces – to ensure the redevelopment is attractive and integrates well with the local park space. This includes the preservation of some established trees.

Yes. Our proposals include purpose-built homes designed for older people. We’ve asked current residents and local people for their views and experts such as The Alzheimer's Society and have included many ideas within our designs. This includes larger living areas, wet room bathrooms, storage spaces and where homes are not at ground level, two lifts to ensure easy and reliable access.

No. Our proposals look to optimise the number of new homes we can create to help address the high levels of housing demand in our area. The homes that are replacing the bungalows all provide larger living areas. 

Yes. Our proposals include affordable housing options for local people.

As part of our plans, we’ll replace the existing homes with new properties. All properties will be demolished if plans are approved.

Yes. We’ve been working closely with current residents to provide personalised support to aid their move – including help to find a new home that meets their needs. All residents have the option to move back to the completed development if they wish. Residents have been kindly sharing their experiences with us – you can read more here.

Yes. There may be some minor changes as we move through planning.  CHP has worked with the residents, wider community members, specialist partners (such as the Alzheimer’s Society) and Chelmsford City Council to ensure that we create the best possible place for people to live. Our aim is to deliver multi-generational living that meets the needs of local people – so it’s important we listen to feedback and shape our approach with customers and communities at the heart.

We’ve put customers and local community at the heart of our approach to the redevelopment and have held coffee mornings, events and updates via newsletters and emails to ensure we meaningfully engage with people from across the community. We’re also working closely with Chelmsford City Council to create a place Chelmsford can be proud of.

We also have a range of partners – from architects to advisors, communications specialists to building contractors. All have been selected (many with resident involvement) because they are committed to a truly consultative process that listens to ideas and feedback.

Yes. We’ve appointed The Hill Group as the main housebuilding contractor for the Andrews Place and Rainsford Lane proposed regeneration. This is an early appointment as we’re still in in the proposal stages – but we felt it was important to involve the housebuilding contractor as early as possible to listen to customers and the wider community. They will also support us through the planning process.

The selection panel, which was made up of Andrews Place customers, other customers and our project team, met with two shortlisted housebuilders. The Hill Group showed experience and expertise in redevelopment, and demonstrated a commitment to customer engagement, and community involvement as well as a track record in creating social value.

We’re aiming to request planning permission in Autumn 2025, with a decision by early 2026.

Any building works will be undertaken using a carefully prepared access, logistics and traffic management plan. Our contractor will have set times for deliveries and minimise any impact on our neighbours and local communities.

We know the homes are coming to the end of their useful life and as such would need significant investment to improve the quality of the home for the future. This is one of the reasons we’re proposing our new plans.

The homes are also unable to be adapted and with demand for more accessible properties increasing, replacing these homes is essential to ensure that we meet local demand for accessible homes. Consistent with homes of this age there is also likely to be structural challenges that we will be assessing as properties become vacant and we progress with redevelopment. 

Yes. All construction works will be carefully planned to ensure access to local homes is not affected.