Plans for the initial phases of the Rouses Farm development in West Clacton have been given the green light by Tendring District Council.

Members of the planning committee approved the application with the detailed design for Phases 1 and 2 of the mixed-use development submitted by Persimmon Homes Essex with a unanimous vote in favour.

This will bring 417 much-needed new homes to the town, including 17 homes for shared ownership and 67 homes which will be offered for below market value rent through a housing partner.

Persimmon Homes will be creating access and service points to the land allocated for a new primary school and a health centre, enabling the Essex County Council and NHS services to accelerate delivery of these vital community facilities.

The design of the development is community-focused with more than 11Ha of high quality open space with a tree-lined network of footpaths and cycle links leading through the development to neighbouring areas. Two new play areas will be incorporated for the benefit of families living within the new community and the surrounding area.

Each home will be fitted with an Electric Vehicle charging point and cycle storage space to promote greener travel options.

Persimmon Homes will be investing more than £3.6m in developer contributions towards education, highways improvements and transport services locally.

Richard Hush, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Essex, said: “Rouses Farm sits on the western edge Clacton and is of major strategic importance to Tendring.

“We are delighted that members were able to see the benefits this scheme brings to the whole of Clacton and we look forward to starting work on site in 2025.”

Outline panning consent was approved in January 2024 for up to 950 homes on the Rouses Farm site, which is allocated for housing in the Tendring Local Plan.