Colchester City Council is ramping up efforts to tackle the housing crisis by fast-tracking the delivery of affordable homes at Northern Gateway. With over 450 local households currently in temporary accommodation, the council is taking decisive action to meet urgent housing needs, reduce pressure on public budgets, and help more residents into secure, long-term homes.
This commitment is being backed by action, with plots at Northern Gateway set to go on the market this summer. This milestone paves the way for construction to begin as soon as possible, accelerating delivery and ensuring housing providers can move swiftly to meet demand.
Unlike traditional developer-led models – which would typically deliver just 30% affordable housing (around 100 homes) – the council is using its own land to bring forward up to 350 homes in the first phase, all of which will be affordable. By working directly with registered housing providers, the Council is unlocking triple the number of affordable homes in a fraction of the time.
This includes a mix of homes rented at below market rates and other routes into affordable living such as Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy schemes, helping a wide range of residents access homes they can genuinely afford.
To further accelerate progress, the council plans for the construction of the new homes to begin in parallel with key road improvements, rather than waiting for those works to be fully completed. This approach would help prevent unnecessary delays while keeping essential infrastructure delivery on schedule. The Council is working closely with National Highways and Essex Highways to make this possible.
Northern Gateway will also deliver high-quality public open space, making it a welcoming and accessible place for both new and existing residents. The development is being designed with sustainability at its core, featuring energy-efficient homes that reduce bills and carbon emissions, strong links to public transport, and dedicated walking and cycling routes to support active travel into the city.
Cllr Paul Smith, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “We know how difficult it is for people to find an affordable home, and we’re taking action to change that. By fast-tracking delivery and working with housing providers, we’re making sure high-quality, affordable homes are built as quickly as possible to meet local need. This development will make a real difference to many of those in temporary accommodation as well as provide new public open spaces, ensuring Northern Gateway is a great place to live, not just for those moving in, but for the wider community as well.”
Northern Gateway is set to become a thriving and well-connected community, delivering much-needed homes while prioritising infrastructure, green space, and sustainable living.
Page last reviewed: 8 April 2025