Hopkins Homes has secured approval for reserved matters concerning a new housing development at Beaulieu in Chelmsford, Essex.  

The 16-acre site, located just 30 miles from London, marks the company’s first major acquisition since its acquisition by Terra Firma, a private equity company, in 2022.  

The development will feature a diverse range of properties, catering to various buyer needs, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom detached houses.  

With nearly a third of the 246 homes designated as affordable housing, the project aims to provide support to the local community through shared ownership and social rented schemes. 

Architectural design of the homes at Beaulieu will incorporate a mix of warm red and buff bricks, along with black weatherboarding, estate railings, and balconies.  

In addition, the Beaulieu Chelmsford housing development will feature a small local retail centre and public open spaces. 

It will also have The Ryde, a landscaped corridor that is home to an existing oak tree.  

Hopkins Homes managing director Duncan Jackson said: “I am thrilled that we have been granted planning permission for this site, as it gives us the perfect opportunity to extend the delivery of our exquisite homes beyond our core East Anglian roots. 

“Our reputation as a regional developer has flourished due to our unwavering commitment to craft, care and social responsibility.  We take great pride in creating spaces that people are genuinely proud to call home.” 

Construction on the site is anticipated to commence in summer 2024, with the completion of the first homes expected in spring 2025.  

Earlier in April 2024, the company partnered with Octopus Energy to offer the Zero Bills homes in Suffolk.