A £46million development including 741 town centre homes is coming to Harlow.

The apartments set to be built on derelict land and existing buildings near the Harvey Centre, opposite Market Square, were approved by Harlow Council yesterday (October 26)

The original plans for the site in 2021 were for 837 homes up to 27 storeys.

Read more:

After discussions between developer Strawberry Star Group and the council this was revised to 578 homes up to 16 storeys to go alongside an earlier application for 163 new homes on part of the same site.

New apartments will range from studios to three-bedroom family homes, and will sit alongside around 3,000 square meters of flexible commercial space and 6,250 square meters of land open to the public, equalling the size of a rugby pitch.

Walking and cycling routes will also be developed with an aim of making car free living more convenient in Harlow.

Dan Swords, deputy council leader, said: “The decision by the Development Management Committee reflects the most significant regeneration opportunity in Harlow town centre.

Epping Forest Guardian: Harlow Quarter plans Harlow Quarter plans (Image: Strawberry Star)

“Not only will we see new high-quality home and massive improvements to public open space, it will be bring with it almost £50million of investment to the town centre.

“Alongside our other town centre initiatives, this will be the catalyst for exciting improvements in the years ahead.”

The two buildings that form the centrepiece of the site were designed by architects Flanagan Lawrence to fit in with Harlow’s history as the first of the 1950s new towns.

Strawberry Star chairman Santhosh Gowda said: “When Harlow New Town was built it was an exciting new way of living, and the town centre buzzed with life.

Epping Forest Guardian: Harlow Quarter plansHarlow Quarter plans (Image: Strawberry Star)

“But 70 years later, the heart had gone out of the centre as online shopping and working from home emptied the streets.

“Harlow Quarter will create a new buzz for a new generation – revitalising the centre of town with new homes, new businesses and a new style of urban living.

“Harlow really is a town that’s going places and we would recommend an early look.”