Independent housebuilder Dandara has officially commenced construction at St Mary’s Park in Great Dunmow and Prior’s Edge in Takeley. This milestone marks a significant step forward for much-needed housing delivery in the region, with off-plan launches set for February 2026, with show homes opening in early summer.
St Mary’s Park will offer a total of 272 one, two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, including 109 affordable properties, 98 private homes and 65 private rented sector (PRS) units. This mix will include apartments, bungalows and houses, and the wider development will offer a central green with a play area. Other community facilities will include walking & cycling routes, a new bus stop and a future healthcare hub. Prior’s Edge will provide a total of 96 homes, including 57 private and 39 affordable units across a 12.5-acre site. Designed to reflect the rural character of Takeley, the homes will include a mix of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom properties, complemented by landscaped open spaces, play areas and walking routes linking the neighbourhood with the wider countryside.
The developments will also contribute significantly to local areas through Section 106 agreements, supporting investment in education, highways, healthcare and transport. Andrew Wickett, Managing Director for Dandara Eastern, said:
“Essex offers an economically diverse location offering a fruitful market of buyers. As such, we’re investing heavily in the region making our mark by commencing construction at two significant developments to kick off the new year. The creation of private, affordable and PRS homes means attracting a wealth of buyers and the opportunity for a plethora of residents to join our new communities.
“At Dandara, we not only supply houses, but we also give back to the local community by investing heavily in locations such as Takeley and Great Dunmow and surrounding areas. This will mean the local economy can flourish in the long term, investing in key industries such as education, transport and healthcare. We expect high interest in the lead up to our official launch in the coming months and we look forward to welcoming our first residents to both developments.”
Both Great Dunmow and Takeley are strategically located offering strong transport links. London can be reached in under 48 minutes from nearby Bishop’s Stortford, Stanstead Mountfitchet or Stansted Airport Railway Stations. The development also has easy access to the A120, A131 and M11 with London Stanstead Airport less than a 10- minute drive away.
The new sites join a growing Essex portfolio for Dandara Eastern, which includes The Orchard in Little Dunmow, Birch Park in Braintree and Oaklands in Copford. Last year, the business also announced a land acquisition in Latchingdon as well as Managing Director Andrew Wickett appointed to oversee continued regional growth.
For more information, visit https://www.dandara.com/new-homes-for-sale/new-homes- essex/great-dunmow/st-marys-park/ or https://www.dandara.com/new-homes-for- sale/new-homes-essex/takeley/priors-edge/.