A taxpayer-owned plot of land in Chelmsford that has been empty for 12 years will now have 26 new homes built on it.

On Friday October 6, Essex Housing was granted permission to build 15 two-bed and 11 one-bed apartments, eight of which will be affordable housing, in Waltham Glen, off Gloucester Avenue.

The development will also provide a home for the Moulsham Lodge Community Trust (MLCT), whose community centre in Waltham Glen closed in 2005.

Essex County Council, in collaboration with Essex Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, has been working with the MLCT to find the group a permanent home ever since its community centre closed.

In March this year, the Council bought a former police station nearby before handing a long-term lease to MLCT, putting an end to years of uncertainty and freeing up the Waltham Glen site for redevelopment.

Councillor Sue Lissimore, cabinet member responsible for housing, said: “This is another fantastic example of how public sector organisations are working together to identify surplus land for development, while also securing the future of a vital community hub at the same time.

“Essex Housing now has planning permission to build 182 properties and has applications pending for another 153 homes.

"We are also investigating 22 other sites to decide if they are suitable for new homes.

“Building more homes is a vital factor in boosting the county’s economy, but also to ensure Essex is a great place to live, work and grow up.

“The Prime Minister’s announcement this week that there will be an extra £2 billion available to councils to build more affordable housing is also great news for future generations who want to get a foot on the property ladder.”