Essex Housing, Essex Council's housing development arm, has won the Best Development Team – Rural/Suburban award at the Inside Housing Development Awards 2022.

The awards celebrate the very best in residential development across the UK.

The team's entry for this award highlighted the achievements made over the last year that have contributed to a live development programme of over 1,000 homes. Half of these are affordable and specialist homes for adults with learning disabilities and older people across Essex. Essex Housing is also working on the rejuvenation of community assets such as libraries.


Essex Housing has secured planning permission for 449 homes to date and is awaiting determination on a further 38. It has successfully completed construction of 78 homes, with contracts awarded and construction forecast to be underway on a further 134 homes this year.

Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, ECC Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: "Essex Housing have won this prestigious award which recognises the great achievements that the team have accomplished to date.

"Essex Housing's development programme is already realising benefits for Essex residents as they continue to bring forward high quality housing that our county can be proud of."

Essex Housing was also shortlisted for ‘Best Partnership’ at the awards, recognising the innovative partnership with East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust in bringing forward the Essex County Hospital scheme in Colchester.