Campaign update

Why the Chelmsford Road proposal matters

The proposed development south of Chelmsford Road is not just another planning application. For many residents, it goes to the heart of what Ongar is and how much pressure the town can absorb.

2026-03-05 • OCRRAG Campaign Team • 5 min read

Ongar is a small historic market town with a distinct rural setting. The land around it is not incidental background. It shapes how the town feels, how it is approached, and how residents understand its identity.

The campaign's concern is that the proposed Bloor Homes development south of Chelmsford Road would push substantial housing growth onto open Green Belt land that has not been allocated in the adopted plan.

That matters because the issue is not only housing numbers. It is also about cumulative impact, countryside loss, infrastructure pressure, and whether growth is being directed to the right places.

Chelmsford Road Ongar Planning