A site with history

Our plans for Great Notley East will retain, re-use and improve the historic buildings on site.

We will protect the Grade II listed collection of buildings at Hayeswood Farm and bring them back to life by creating a community hub and valuable new employment opportunities at the site.

We will also highlight local heritage through enhancements to the John Ray walk, dedicated to the 17th century local naturalist (born in Black Notley) known as the ‘father of natural history’. The John Ray walk is approximately nine miles taking you from Braintree Town Centre, crossing our site on an existing public right of way and then on to Witham to the south of our site.

We will provide further signage and information boards to explain why he is being commemorated as well as signposting the Grade II listed John Ray Cottage on Bakers Lane where he was born. Our goal will be to retain and enhance the local historical references and to keep his memory alive for new residents.