Developed over 18 months of consultation and dialogue, the outline planning application on behalf of The Crown Estate for Land at Feering, Essex has been submitted, setting out a community-led approach for a sustainable new neighbourhood shaped by extensive local engagement.
Guided by the project’s ‘Enrich, Move, Greet and Grow’ vision, the masterplan will feature 835 new homes across four distinct character areas. Homes will be offered in a diverse range of house types and tenures, with 40% designated as affordable housing. Building heights have been carefully refined to respect existing neighbourhoods, with lower-density dwellings proposed adjacent to current homes to support a sensitive transition in character.
A strategically positioned community hub and a mixed-use hub will act as the communal hearts of the neighbourhood, serving both the northern and southern parts of Feering. Alongside these assets, more than 3.5 hectares of sports facilities along New Lane help retain its open character, providing a gentle transition between new homes and the surrounding countryside.
A landscape-led approach underpins the masterplan with interconnected green space covering over 40% of the site area, aiming to exceed over 10% in biodiversity net gain. A series of pocket parks, play areas, fitness trails, allotments, orchards and neighbourhood nodes are distributed throughout the site, with 5km of footpaths and cycle routes linking homes to community facilities and the wider countryside.
At the centre of the neighbourhood, the Central Green Space forms a safe and welcoming community focus. Overlooked by surrounding homes, it promotes everyday social interaction, incorporating a play area, landscaped SuDS feature and communal orchards to support shared food growing and celebrate the agricultural and horticultural heritage of the landscape and parish. Enhancements to the Domsey Brook corridor form a major area for habitat creation and nature-based recreation offering a rich network of routes, recreational opportunities and sustainable water management.
Community engagement has been central to Feering’s vision. Since January 2024, the client and design team have undertaken more than 40 meetings, workshops and conversations with local residents and stakeholders, including community panels, six youth panels at Honywood School and Thurstable School, engagement days, drop-in sessions, parish council meetings, engagement with Braintree District Council and design reviews with Design South East. Feedback from these sessions has been carefully recorded and embedded within the Vision and masterplan, with community voices directly influencing design decisions.
The project has recently been named as a finalist in the Future Public Realm category at the Pineapple Awards 2026, recognising innovative projects that champion high-quality, community-focused placemaking.
