Planning Matters
The Society keeps a watch on all planning applications and makes representation if we consider it appropriate. Recent examples include the Rivenhall Waste Facility; Pylon routes; mineral extraction proposals; A12/A120 expansions; Flood Elevation Scheme (massive reservoir in Coggeshall) and crucially significant housing developments including Kings Dene in Kelvedon (5,600 properties) and the Crown Estates in Feering (900 properties). Representation is made in writing and as appropriate in person and also in conjunction with other groups including Kelvedon Against Urban Sprawl (KAUS).
Crown Estates – Outline Planning Permission
After much consultation in Feering, the Crown Estates have put in an outline planning application for the three tranches of their land. The Society would urge everyone to have a look at the plans as it will impact on everyone locally eg part of the proposal is the creation of a mini roundabout at the base of the bridge over the river into Kelvedon junction with Swan Street, Station Road and the High Street. This will have significant impact on all traffic but in particular anyone accessing Swan Street and Heron Road or crucially trying to get out again.
The documents submitted can be seen on Braintree Councils Planning Portal under reference 26/001119/out
Below are two maps. The first is via a link and gives a very clear basic overview of the development sites and shows against Kelvedon and Feering. The second is a more detailed map showing new roads etc for the Crown Estate development. We do apologise for the blurred images but it has not been possible to upload better quality.
Crown estates overview location plan
Braintree Local Plan and the call for sites – Kings Dene Kelvedon
Whilst the Local Plans were fairly recently adopted, the Governments pressure for housebuilding has meant that they had to be reviewed to meet the considerably higher housebuilding targets. In the case of Braintree Council they have proposed that the development of the Kings Dene site in Kelvedon with its proposed 5,600 properties would go a significant way towards meeting their target. This site would stretch from Coggeshall Road Kelvedon (near the station) right through to Rivenhall and create a new town.
The proposals include such plans as shutting the road that crosses the railway line in Church Street Kelvedon and creating a bridge from the new site into London Road Kelvedon.
The Heritage Society are trying to keep all members abreast with developments and encouraging all to take part in any consultation. KAUS (details below) are also key in the campaign to stop such a development. We are fully aware of the requirement for homes to meet the local housing requirement (there are approx 2000 on Braintree Councils housing list) but this would not address those needs. The scale of the development can be seen in red on the overview map below. Again we apologise for the blurred image.
In February 2026 the formal consultation should commence and everyone is encouraged to take part.
Local Plans
In recent years the local villages (including the Heritage Society) had been heavily engaged in the work to develop new Local Plans. These documents are the framework behind which future developments from homes to sports facilities, transport and even cemeteries are based.
Whilst the plans were adopted, the Governments desire for even more housing and the potential development of King Dene mean that the overarching Braintree Local Plan is having to be redrafted.
Meeting 6 November 2025
A meeting was held on 6 November 2025 organised by two local Councillors at the United Reform Church (URC) in Kelvedon to bring to villagers attention the latest situation concerning Kings Dene. This meeting was live streamed and can be now be viewed via YouTube on this link 6 November Meeting
KAUS now has both a website and a Facebook site on which they post the latest information. They can be found via these links: