Rochford planners back plans for retirement complex
Friday 8 December 2023
Rochford will be hosting a “senior living village” after the local authority approved plans for a retirement complex. The scheme for more than 100 homes, a 93-bed care home and a doctors’ surgery in Cherry Orchard Lane were backed by Rochford District Council. A management company will provide a shuttle bus service from the site […] Read more >
The ‘garden village’ coming to Brentwood
Thursday 30 November 2023
A vast housing development in south Essex has been backed by Brentwood Borough Council, which has approved the quaintly-named Dunton Hills Garden Village. The project will see the building of 3,700 homes, along with three schools, a pub, gypsy and traveller pitches, cycle routes and betting shops. The garden village is targeted for land east […] Read more >
You can take part in consultation on garden-town neighbourhood
Thursday 16 November 2023
It’s been a while since we’ve alerted you to a good consultation – and here’s a bit of an old favourite…Latton Priory is one of four new neighbourhoods planned for the proposed Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, south of Harlow in the parish of North Weald Bassett. The garden town scheme was approved by Harlow, […] Read more >
They don’t build them like they used to!
Tuesday 14 November 2023
A little series of pictures for you today from lensman Gordon Ridgewell, who took himself and his camera to Greensted Church, which Gordon tells us is the oldest wooden church in the world. You can learn more about it here Read more >
AGM 2023: everyone’s a winner!
Monday 23 October 2023
The beautiful town of Thaxted was the delightful setting for this year’s CPRE Essex AGM – and the 23 members and supporters present enjoyed a day to remember. To be precise, Pam’s Place was the venue – and what an ideal choice it proved to be, more than catering for our needs, which of course […] Read more >
Barnstorming!
Thursday 19 October 2023
Gordon Ridgewell has turned his focus on one of our county’s architectural gems. “I had a look at Prior’s Hall Barn – now owned by English Heritage and with FREE entrance,” he tells us. And English Heritage tells us: “Prior’s Hall Barn is one of the finest surviving medieval barns in the east of England. […] Read more >
An eye on the winter ahead…
Thursday 19 October 2023
Be prepared! An age-old adage that has served photographer Gordon Ridgewell well over the years… and one that is clearly held dear across the natural world. Gordon takes up the story: “I had a walk round Bridge End Garden in Saffron Walden on one of the last sunny days to find squirrels stashing away food […] Read more >
Last call! Our AGM is tomorrow (Saturday, October 7)
Friday 6 October 2023
It’s almost upon us! This year’s CPRE Essex AGM is being held in Thaxted on Saturday, October 7. We will be gathering at 2pm for a 2.30pm start. The venue is Pam’s Place, located at the back of the Margaret Street free car park (postcode CM6 2RL). Tea and cake will be provided. After the […] Read more >
With this Ring…
Friday 6 October 2023
Just a simple shot from photographer Gordon Ridgewell to share the very essence of our beautiful Essex… “I had a ride out early the other morning as the mist was rising and captured this shot. “Audley End House stands in the parish of Saffron Walden. The Ring stands in the parish of Littlebury, over the […] Read more >
Beating the beetles
Wednesday 4 October 2023
The seasons they are a-changin’… or are they? Gordon Ridgewell tells us: “The field in this picture looks like it’s springtime, but it was taken in September. “Audley End estate has drilled a companion crop with the rape to attract the flea beetle away from the young rape plants. Government rules do not allow certain […] Read more >