Independent housebuilder Dandara has acquired a new parcel of land east of Parsonage Road in Takeley, Essex, unlocking plans for a 96-home development that will bring a range of high-quality homes, green infrastructure and community benefits to Uttlesford.
Covering 12.5 acres and previously used as farmland, the site forms part of a wider masterplan brought forward by Weston Homes, who will retain ownership of the adjacent Priors Wood, a protected ancient woodland. The approved plans will now be adapted by Dandara to reflect its own award-winning house types, with a Section 73 application expected to be submitted in the coming weeks. A planning decision is anticipated in October, paving the way for construction to begin in November and the first homes to be completed by May 2026.
The development will deliver 96 new homes, including 39 affordable properties – equating to 40% of the scheme – at a time when access to housing in Uttlesford remains a significant challenge. Average house prices in the district are now over £444,000, more than ten times the median local income. Uttlesford has also struggled to meet government housing delivery targets in recent years, with the council’s own Housing Delivery Test Action Plan highlighting a shortfall in supply.
Reflecting the local character of Takeley, the homes will be built using a mix of red and buff brick, render and weatherboarding, with a range of two to five-bedroom properties, bungalows and apartments designed for modern family life. As part of a fabric-first approach to sustainability, every home will be equipped with electric vehicle charging points, and the neighbourhood will be shaped around significant areas of green space – including a new play area, a wildflower meadow and upgraded public rights of way linking the site to nearby countryside and village amenities.
Dandara will also deliver over £2 million in contributions to local infrastructure through the Section 106 agreement, supporting education, highways, healthcare and sustainable transport. A section of the site has been safeguarded for a potential future expansion of Roseacres Primary School.
Andrew Wickett, Managing Director for Dandara Eastern, said: “This is a significant acquisition for Dandara, both in terms of the location and what it allows our Eastern division to bring to the local area. Takeley has grown steadily in recent years, but there’s still a pressing need for homes that are well designed, energy efficient and genuinely accessible.
“For Dandara, it also signals our ongoing commitment to the East of England. We’re continuing to grow in a thoughtful, sustainable way – focusing on the kinds of places where we know people want to live, and where our homes can make a meaningful difference.”
With over 10,000 homes delivered across the UK Dandara remains focused on creating long-term value for communities, with an emphasis on high design standards, environmental performance and local engagement.
For more information, visit www.dandara.com