A DEVELOPER has been shortlisted for an award for its proposals to build 1,000 homes on the outskirts of Braintree.

L and Q Estates' plans for Straits Mill, in Bocking, is in-line to win the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) East of England Award for Planning Excellence 2020.

Planning permission for the large development was given by Braintree Council back in January 2020.

The new homes will be built alongside a new primary school, community centre, park and employment area.

It is expected to create 550 new jobs during the construction phase, while the new school will add a further 40 jobs to the area.

The project has been shortlisted for displaying a "constructive and positive working relationship" across consultant teams, local planning authority officers, statutory and community groups.

Richard Edwards, Group Planning Director at L and Q Estates, said: “We’re very pleased to have been shortlisted for this award and it’s great recognition of the hard work everyone has put in for the planning on this development.

“The award recognises excellence in planning, from the collaboration of parties and working relationships, to the strength in design.

“It is the first time L and Q Estates has operated in Braintree and this scheme will bring numerable benefits to the area over the next five to ten years.

“Working with Barton Willmore and the planning team at Braintree Council on this project has been a great experience. The planning application was supported by a detailed design code that will ensure that design quality is maintained across the entire development. The code was specifically referred to by members of the planning committee as being an exemplar document, and will be used to judge all future schemes in the area.

“To be shortlisted for an award such as this is an acknowledgement that we are doing things right and we look forward to the virtual ceremony in November.”