Boyer at 40: Top Projects from 40 Years – A Legacy in Placemaking Gilden Park, Harlow – Reflections from Matt Clarke, Director and Head of Boyer East
As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations, we’re highlighting some of Boyer’s most significant planning projects over the past four decades - schemes that exemplify our role in shaping communities, driving sustainable development, and navigating complex planning challenges.

As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations, we’re highlighting some of Boyer’s most significant planning projects over the past four decades - schemes that exemplify our role in shaping communities, driving sustainable development, and navigating complex planning challenges.
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Gilden Park, Harlow, an ambitious urban extension that has delivered homes, community infrastructure, and a long-term legacy for the area.
Gilden Park, Harlow: A Two-Decade Journey in Placemaking
Boyer has been involved in Gilden Park since the early 2000s, ultimately securing planning permission for nearly 1,100 homes, alongside a new primary school, allotments, sports pitches and pavilion, community centre, retail units, and essential infrastructure.
The project, located north of Gilden Way in Harlow’s north-east, was promoted on behalf of a consortium comprising Taylor Wimpey, Barratt David Wilson, and Persimmon Homes.
“I originally worked alongside and supported David Lander on this project, and have taken sole responsibility since his retirement,” reflects Matt Clarke, Director and Head of Boyer Colchester.
From the outset, Gilden Park was a complex and, at times, controversial proposal. Initial efforts focused on ensuring the site’s continued allocation within the Harlow Local Plan as an Area of Special Restraint, removed from the Green Belt in order to meet future development needs, a key step in recognising its development potential. These efforts succeeded, securing the site’s status and laying the groundwork for its long-term delivery.
An outline application was prepared in 2007, though not submitted due to the recession. Activity resumed in 2011, with resistance from the Local Planning Authority resulting in an appeal against non-determination. A Public Inquiry followed, and in 2012, the appeal was allowed by the Secretary of State, a pivotal moment in the site’s evolution.
Over the following years, Boyer coordinated the discharge of conditions, the preparation of a Design Code, and secured reserved matters approvals across two phases, as well as a separate full application that delivered an uplift in dwelling numbers within part of the site.
“This project has been both complex and challenging, particularly due to the initial stance taken by the local authority. But it’s also been hugely rewarding,” Matt notes. “After more than 20 years, seeing this new community come to life is an immense achievement.”
The development is now essentially built-out, with the recent completion of the community pavilion and centre. Work continues on revisions to the final parcel of the site.
A Lasting Impact
Gilden Park stands as a testament to perseverance, collaboration and planning expertise. It reflects Boyer’s ability to engage with stakeholders over time, adapt to shifting policy and economic contexts, and deliver places that provide real community value.
As we mark our 40th anniversary, projects like Gilden Park remind us why we do what we do, and how planning, done well, can shape places and lives for generations.