The Crown Estate submits plans for 4,000-home East Hemel development

The Crown Estate has submitted an outline planning application for a major new development at East Hemel, proposing up to 4,000 homes alongside community facilities, employment space and green infrastructure. The application was lodged with both St Albans City & District Council and Dacorum Borough Council.

Covering 975 acres to the east of Hemel Hempstead, the East Hemel scheme includes a mix of housing types and tenures, including a significant proportion of affordable homes. The development will feature health centres, up to four schools, shops, and a network of parks and green spaces, including a 63-hectare country park.

East Hemel is part of the Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) programme, which aims to deliver up to 11,000 homes and thousands of jobs by 2050. The Crown Estate plans to allocate over one-third of the site to public open space, with walking and cycling routes integrated throughout. A sustainable transport corridor is also planned to connect the new neighbourhoods.

In addition to housing, the scheme includes 1.8 million sq ft of employment space, with a dedicated employment zone and an innovation hub expected to support thousands of new jobs and training opportunities.

The plans follow an 18-month engagement programme involving nearly 1,400 participants through site visits, workshops, school sessions and public consultations. Feedback helped shape the proposal, including the design of local centres, housing layouts and open spaces.

The Crown Estate intends to establish a long-term stewardship model for the development, involving local residents and stakeholders in the ongoing management of the site. The outline application seeks approval for the scale and layout of the scheme, with detailed plans to follow at a later stage.