“The vision is to create a village that feels like home.” This August, residents, businesses and stakeholders are being invited to discover the latest plans for Villages 5 and 6 for one of the region’s biggest investments at a pop-up event in Harlow.
Taking place at the Harvey Centre on Saturday 1 August, the event will give visitors the chance to explore the how two of the seven interconnected villages could be delivered. The plans go beyond housing, with leisure centres, sports and recreation, schools, village parks, emergency services hubs and vast green space all featuring.
The community have the chance to meet the project team, ask questions and find out more about the next steps ahead of the masterplans being submitted to the local planning authority later this year.
Places for People (PfP) and Barratt Redrow, have continued to refine the proposals following public engagement earlier this year and ongoing discussions with residents, community groups and political stakeholders. The latest plans reflect feedback received throughout the engagement process.
Event details are below:
Date: Saturday 1 August 2026
Time: 9am–3pm
Venue: The Harvey Centre, Harvey Centre Approach, Harlow, CM20 1XR
Between them, PfP and Barratt Redrow will deliver six interconnected villages, set in 660 hectares of green space, alongside new schools and community facilities. The development will also bring forward hundreds of employment opportunities from construction roles through to new businesses settled within the new commercial premises in the village centres.
Villages 5 and 6 are two parts of this wider vision, creating sustainable new neighbourhoods designed around walking, cycling and access to nature. The proposals are being developed to strike a balance between retaining the historical context of the area whilst addressing the needs of future communities by building out the community facilities first.
As part of the event, visitors can also meet participants from Future Makers: Gilston, a youth engagement programme delivered with 2-3 Degrees where local people aged 15 to 25 shared their ideas on how some of the land can be used before any homes are built. This paid work experience placement worked with fourteen young adults giving them an insight into the career opportunities within the built environment and learn key skills to support job or further education applications.
A spokesperson on behalf of Places for People said:
“Engaging with the local community is a fundamental part of shaping the future of Gilston.
“This is a catalyst for East Hertfordshire and the wider area .We know that projects of this scale create transformational change. It’s why, we have been listening carefully to feedback from residents, community groups and stakeholders and why we value their feedback immensely. This event provides another opportunity for people to find out more about the proposals for Villages 5 and 6, speak directly with the project team and understand how the plans are progressing ahead of the submission of the masterplans later this year.
“We are committed to creating a new community that responds to local needs, supports the wider Harlow and East Hertfordshire area, and provides opportunities for people now and in the future. Our vision is to create villages that feel like home.”
For further information visit: Gilston Park Estate - Homepage