Public consultation is to take place on the future of Wych Elm as the council takes greater control over the regeneration of the area as part of its plans for Harlow town centre.
Last night (16 June 2022) the council’s cabinet agreed the draft Wych Elm Development brief document which will now go out to consultation before it is adopted. Consultation will start shortly.
The brief will guide the regeneration and redevelopment of the Wych Elm area and will be used in the determination of planning applications for the area.
In the brief the council sets out the following vision for the Wych Elm area:
“Wych Elm will be a place where residents and visitors will want to shop, relax, eat, socialise, play and make use of community services as well as live and work. Wych Elm is to be redeveloped for a mix of uses, including new homes and active day-time services including community and civic facilities.
Taller residential blocks which provide active ground floor frontages are supported. Non- residential uses will serve mostly day-time needs such as cafes, healthcare and education services, workspaces and small shops. This will support needs of the local and wider community. The town centre south of Fourth Avenue will continue to act as the main shopping and leisure destination.
The Wych Elm area will be an attractive and pleasant space for all members of the community, accessible and safe for pedestrians and cyclists.”
A copy of the draft development brief is available here