Discover What the Plan Means for You
Welcome to the campaign’s article hub. Here you’ll find deep-dive investigations, planning breakdowns, legal insights, and regular updates exposing the truth behind Chelmsford City Council’s Local Plan — and its devastating impact on the communities of Sandon, Little Baddow, and the Chelmer Valley.
These aren’t opinion pieces. They’re evidence-based, legally grounded, and rooted in public concern.
📌 Start Here: The Truth Behind the Plan
Truth Behind the Plan: 1. Floodplain Fiasco – Why Hammonds Farm Is a Dangerous Mistake
Hammonds Farm lies in a floodplain and faces risk from both rivers and reservoir failure. So why is Chelmsford City Council still planning to build 3,000 homes there?
Truth Behind the Plan: 2. A Landscape Under Threat – How Hammonds Farm Damages the Chelmer Valley
Hammonds Farm would devastate the rural landscape of Sandon, Little Baddow and the Chelmer Valley. The Council’s own evidence says this land should not be built on.
Truth Behind the Plan: 3. Traffic Chaos Incoming – Why Our Roads Can’t Cope
3,000 homes, a business park, and no guaranteed A12 upgrades? Chelmsford’s plan will bring traffic gridlock to Sandon, Boreham, Little Baddow and Danbury.
Truth Behind the Plan: 4. Heritage at Risk – How Hammonds Farm Threatens Our Historic Identity
From St Andrew’s Church to the Chelmer Navigation, the Hammonds Farm site threatens heritage assets that define our local history and landscape.
Truth Behind the Plan: 5. Wildlife at Risk – What We’ll Lose if Hammonds Farm Goes Ahead
Hedgerows, bats, barn owls, and biodiversity corridors face destruction if Chelmsford allocates Hammonds Farm. Nature cannot be offset with token planting.
Truth Behind the Plan: 6. Community Voice Ignored – Why Our Parish Plans Matter
Danbury’s Neighbourhood Plan, Sandon’s Village Statement, and Little Baddow’s consultation efforts were all sidelined. This isn’t planning — it’s imposition.
Truth Behind the Plan: 7. Broken Promises – The Duty to Cooperate Failure
Chelmsford failed to consult key authorities like Maldon and Natural England. The Local Plan may be legally unsound as a result — and it shows.
Truth Behind the Plan: 8. Planning for Profit – Developers Over Communities
The truth behind Hammonds Farm? Private landowners and developers stand to profit while infrastructure is unfunded and communities are ignored.
More Campaign Articles & Updates
Stay up to date with the latest developments, planning breakdowns, campaign events, and press coverage as the fight against Hammonds Farm continues.
Hammonds Farm is now the preferred Option
The Policy Board of Chelmsford City Council (CCC) sat on the 14th March and approved option E as the preferred option to go forward to public consultation. Local plan can be found here In summary, the preferred option…
Hammonds Farm Briefing
Thank you to everyone who attended the community briefing event on November 10th at the Memorial Hall concerning the possibility that a development of 4,000 houses at Hammonds Farm is approved for inclusion in Chelmsford…
Map Overlay
Hammonds Farm is now the preferred Option
The Policy Board of Chelmsford City Council (CCC) sat on the 14th March and approved option E as the preferred option to go forward to public consultation. Local plan can be found here In summary, the preferred option…
Mortgage lender pulls offers over flood risk
The UK’s second biggest mortgage provider has stopped making loans on homes at risk of flooding, over fears they may become uninsurable — and therefore, unsellable — over the coming years. Nationwide Building Society uses…
Consultation statement
Consultation Statement Download PDF
Integrated Impact Assessment Newsletter
Integrated Impact Assessment Newsletter May 2024 Download PDF
Local Plan Newsletter
Local Plan Newsletter Download PDF