CONSTRUCTION has started at a site earmarked for a whopping 575 new homes.

Towerlands Park in Braintree closed in 2012 and has since had development proposals by housebuilder Dandara approved by Braintree Council.

The development has been split into multiple phases with the housebuilder securing outline planning consent on the £192million scheme in April 2021 and phase one permission in April 2022.

Permission for phase two is currently being sought by Dandara.

The second phase would see nearly 170 homes built on the northern end of the development.

Now Dandara has announced building work at the site is underway.

The first phase, which consists of 168 homes, is expected to be completed in early 2023.

The initial selection of homes will include a range of three, four and five-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes.

Provision for the new neighbourhood will include a new early years nursery overlooking the village green, shops and a series of play areas, parkland, meadow and community orchard spaces linked by footway and cycleways.

John Stanton, managing director of Dandara Eastern, said: “This is in an incredible opportunity for us to create a completely new community on our own doorstep and will bring significant economic benefits to the area during the construction period, acting as a magnet for further investment and stimulating job creation in this fantastic area.

“Towerlands Park will offer much needed homes for local people who want to remain in the area and to commuters to London, especially those who have re-evaluated their priorities during the ongoing challenges we are all facing.”

The development has previously proven to be controversial with the original outline bid attracting nearly 100 objections.

As part of the planning consent, Dandara will make contributions of £10.75million for local authorities such as Essex County Council to spend on improvements to local ecology, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

For more information on the development, visit www.dandara.com/towerlands-park.