Belmont Road

The site previously received planning consent in 2017, but the development did not proceed, and the consent lapsed in 2021. Our updated proposals respond to current statutory requirements and environmental standards, while retaining the core vision of the original scheme. The design enhances the character of the area and introduces a new green spine that connects the community through shared spaces and sustainable homes.

Thurrock Council, sought a refreshed design that built on the previously approved scheme while addressing new planning, environmental and accessibility standards. The brief was to retain the mix of homes – from one-bedroom flats to larger family houses and bungalows – while promoting wellbeing, sustainability, and community interaction.

We led a comprehensive review of the original scheme and identified areas we needed to address to ensure compliance with current statutory standards. These included changes to access and energy efficiency requirements for properties, as set out in Approved Document M and Part L of the Building Regulations respectively. Our RIBA Stage 2 proposal kept the original number of homes but reduced their original footprint and increased layout efficiency to allow for an additional communal landscaped area.

Of the 80 mixed-tenure homes, 20 are for social rent, with 8 for Shared Ownership and the remaining 52 for private sale. There are 8 wheelchair accessible dwellings – representing 10% of the total units – designed to meet the standards for Category 3 M4(3) dwellings as set out in approve Document M of the Building Regulations.

Our proposal also increased the thickness of external walls to ensure each property complies with the updated Part L requirements, which mandate that new buildings produce 30% less CO₂ than under the previous regulations. The buildings are arranged so that the single or two storey terraced houses on the southern part of the site complement the existing neighbours in Belmont, Castle and Rosebery Roads. The taller three storey houses and flats are located adjacent to the site’s western and northern boundary to minimise impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Car parking is provided with 124 in-curtilage spaces, including one space per bungalow and 8 wheelchair-accessible spaces. An additional 42 visitor spaces bring the total to 188.

The project is currently on hold while Thurrock Council evaluates its options.