BILLION-POUND plans for 3,600 homes, a new railway station and new jobs were given the go-ahead by city planning chiefs this week.
Countryside's ambitious plans to extend Beaulieu Park, near Springfield, were given the green light at the city council's planning committee on Tuesday.
The project, which includes three new schools, community facilities and a flagship business park, have been 20 years in the making, and now work could start on the first 400 homes by autumn 2012.
Countryside's planning chief John Oldham said: "We are extremely pleased with the outcome and are having a first meeting today with the council to discuss designs for Beaulieu Gardens, the first phase of the project.
"The designs will then be independently assessed before we proceed. Considering the economic situation we are very pleased to be able to offer 27 per cent affordable housing."
Mr Oldham says the project will create 9,000 jobs, but the railway station will only be built once 2,500 homes have been occupied.
Once complete, it could mean 9,000 extra residents in the city.
"We envisage some enabling works starting in the spring and construction of the first houses in the autumn next year," he added.
"We have created a landscaped-led project that does not cover everywhere in bricks. There are more than 200 acres of parkland included to enhance the area too.
"There will be some pain. You can't build a new community without infrastructure.
"I ask people to see the improvement that happened in connection with the Great Notley development in Braintree. That will happen at Springfield eventually."
