Plans to develop over 20 high-quality, energy-efficient council homes on a derelict site on Perry Road in Staple Tye, Harlow, have been given the go-ahead.

The proposals were submitted by The Harlow Regeneration Partnership (HRP), an equal partnership between Harlow Council and award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group.

The plans form part of the council’s priorities to rebuild the town and improve housing stock in the surrounding area.

The HRP received unanimous approval from Harlow's Development Management Committee for the redevelopment of the former Lister House site, which becomes the first to be delivered by the partnership.

Councillor Michael Hardware, Harlow Council's cabinet portfolio holder for economic development, said: "Not only will this development deliver much-needed homes for Harlow residents, but it will also contribute to the regeneration and renewal of Staple Tye. The former Lister House site has been sitting derelict for far too long and now I am pleased to say we can get on with the job of rebuilding this area of Staple Tye.

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"These high-quality apartments will be some of the most energy-efficient homes in Harlow and they will all be delivered by the Harlow Regeneration Partnership, which was only recently launched to accelerate the rebuild of our town.

"We look forward to working with The Hill Group on this development."

Tom Hill, Managing Director at The Hill Group, said: "We are delighted to receive planning approval for our first site in partnership with Harlow Council, contributing to the regeneration of the town’s housing. This first exciting development is just the beginning for the Harlow Regeneration Partnership, and we look forward, not only to starting on site at Perry Road but to delivering many more high-quality, genuinely affordable, sustainable homes for Harlow’s communities in the future."

The development will include four one-bedroom apartments and 20 two-bedroom apartments, with commercial space on the ground floor. Each home will have access to electrical vehicle charging points, and the plans include an allocation of 24 car parking spaces and 32 cycle spaces, with a further four car parking spaces and 10 cycle spaces for commercial use.

The gas-free development will feature photovoltaic panels installed on the roof, and heating and hot water will be provided via air-source heat pumps, helping residents keep their electricity bills low. Biodiversity at the Perry Road site will be carefully managed through the planting of new trees, and there will be attractively landscaped areas situated around the development.

Hill will take possession of the Perry Road site in November 2023, with work due to begin in Spring 2024.