Welcome
Welcome to Rochford Park, a bold new vision for the future of Rochford. At its core lies the UK’s first large-scale ‘climate positive’ community, a trailblazing development led by bio-based construction technology innovators, HEMSPAN®. Designed to redefine sustainable living, Rochford Park will not only set a new benchmark for environmental responsibility but also fuel a thriving regional economy and create high-quality, future-proof jobs for Rochford residents.
We want to thank everyone who attended our public exhibition yesterday and for sharing your views with the team. You can now find our questionnaire here for the proposals. You can also view the Exhibition Boards. Your views are vital in helping Hemspan shape the proposals and we want to thank you again for your contributions so far. Alternatively, if you would like a copy of the questionnaire sent to your address, please contact us at planning@pavilionpa.co.uk.
We want to continue to work alongside the Rochford community to bring this vision to life. Your views and ideas are important to us, and we look forward to hearing them as the plans develop.
This website will be the hub of our consultation, so please register to receive updates and stay connected as we shape the future of Rochford, together.
Introduction
Factory
At the heart of our proposals is a state-of-the-art HEMSPAN® factory, purpose-built to deliver the components for around 2,000 high-performance homes per year for delivery and construction across the region. Utilising the innovative BIOHAUS®system – a Category 2 Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), this major investment represents a transformative opportunity for Rochford. The facility is expected to create around 500 new jobs and offer numerous skills, career development and training opportunities for residents. Championing sustainability, the factory will prioritise the use of locally sourced materials, including hemp grown in the region.
Climate positive homes
The first showcase for the new HEMSPAN® factory will be Rochford Park, a 130-hectare site located northeast of Rochford, featuring around 2,000 climate positive homes. BIOHAUS® homes store more carbon than they emit during the construction phase. They produce near-zero embodied carbon over their lifetime, just 0.1 tonnes of CO₂ per square metre. Each home generates all the energy it needs, creating warmer homes, lower energy bills and a lighter footprint on the planet.
Rochford Park is designed to set a benchmark for how housing can actively combat climate change. Each home will be built using the BIOHAUS® building system standard, which incorporates sustainable and locally sourced hemp, alongside timber, as the primary building materials. BIOHAUS® provides outstanding strength, insulation and durability.
With over 20,000 known applications, hemp is one of nature’s most versatile and remarkable resources. Used in construction for centuries, it is now at the forefront of a new era in sustainable building. Hemp meets the urgent demand for high-quality, low-impact materials with outstanding performance and longevity.
Our team is here to answer any questions you may have. Please do get in touch, using the contact details below and sign up to receive future updates.
Our proposals
Factory
- A new HEMSPAN® factory – a major manufacturing facility to produce the innovative BIOHAUS® building system to manufacture components for 2,000 climate positive homes per year for delivery and construction across the region.
- Major investment in Rochford, providing quality jobs and economic development.
- Long-term venture providing training and apprenticeship opportunities for future generations.
Rochford Park
- A new, sustainable development of 2,000 modern, high-quality, climate positive homes to the northeast of Rochford.
- Up to 40% of the homes are affordable, offered for rent or shared ownership.
- A landscaped village including newly planted native trees.
- Plans include a commitment to extensive tree planting.
- Significant biodiversity net gain and green infrastructure including 66ha of developable area
- The site is in Flood Zone 1, which means it has the lowest risk of flooding.
- Climate positive status will be achieved using the BIOHAUS® building system and sustainable components provided by the on-site factory using locally grown materials.
- Sustainable homes incorporating numerous elements such as solar panels, air source heat pumps and greywater recycling.
- This project will deliver substantial economic and employment benefits for the region, while the community hub will offer a wide range of additional facilities designed to enrich the lives of the residents and wider community alike.
- This development is designed for all generations. An inclusive, welcoming extension to the Ashingdon and Rochford communities, thoughtfully integrated to foster connection and harmony.
- We are committed to supporting safe, efficient travel with improvements to road capacity and traffic safety.
- A full range of infrastructure is planned, including schools, GP, community spaces, retail, leisure and sports facilities. These facilities will provide everything a thriving community needs right on it’s doorstep.

Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have. Please do get in touch, using the contact details below, and sign up to receive future updates.
The consultation process
Community Involvement
At HEMSPAN® we believe that the most successful places are shaped with communities, not just for them. That’s why we’re committed to a genuinely collaborative approach to bring this visionary development to life, working alongside local residents every step of the way.
From the outset, we’re inviting the community to share their aspirations, ideas and concerns. This is not a one-off consultation, it’s an ongoing open dialogue that will continue throughout the process. From promoting the site through the local plan, to co-creating the masterplan, and ultimately submitting the planning application, the community’s voice will be central.
While HEMSPAN® will not be constructing the homes directly, we’ll remain actively involved throughout the journey to safeguard the integrity of our proposals. Any future development partners will be required to fully align with the high standards and values set from the start.
We’ve already begun this engagement by opening conversations with Rochford District Council, Ward councillors, as well as Ashingdon and Rochford parish councils. We are also launching this dedicated project website. This is just the beginning. Below you will see how we’ll continue the conversation:
- Stakeholder Forum Bringing together various stakeholders, including parish and ward councillors, members of the community and other key partners. This forum will be continuous, allowing us to share, update, listen and evolve the project with real-time feedback. Further details will be shared here and via parish council channels.
- Core research We are exploring independent market research across Rochford on a range of topics to ensure we have a broad and representative views from the community. Again, updates on this initiative will also be shared here and with the parish councils.
- Next steps As we move forward, we will broaden engagement through public exhibitions and inclusive workshops, making sure everyone has the opportunity to shape the future of Rochford Park. We invite you to register below to stay informed as this exciting journey unfolds.
If you would like a paper copies of any of the materials produced, please call 020 7939 7987 or email planning@pavilionpa.co.uk with your address and they will be sent by post.
Your feedback is important as it will help us shape the proposals ahead of our application submission.
News
ADAM Architecture Appointed to Design UK’s First Large-Scale ‘Climate Positive’ Community at Rochford Park
ADAM Architecture, known for its work at the Duchy of Cornwall developments at Nansledan in Cornwall and Poundbury in Dorset, has been appointed to master plan Rochford Park – a pioneering 2,000-home development by construction technology company HEMSPAN®. View full release
Rochford chosen for ‘climate positive’ housing factory
HEMSPAN® has selected Rochford as the first location for a new housing manufacturing facility, capable of producing 2,000 homes annually. View full release
Rochford could become sustainable development hub
HEMSPAN®, a Cambridge-based construction technology business, has identified three areas in the UK for its new 1,000-home per year manufacturing facility: Cambridgeshire, the South West and Rochford in Essex. View the full release
All News (PDF archive)
Next Steps
The public exhibition will now be followed by a virtual drop-in event later in July – details will be published here but please register for updates to receive your personal invitation.
A stakeholder forum is being formed, with representatives from the parish and district councils, which will meet for the first time in July.
Newsletter
You can find our latest newsletter here:
Register for updates
Please register your email below for automatic updates on the site’s development.
Please see our Privacy Statement for information.
Pavilion PA Limited collects personal information when you register on this website or lodge comments about the proposed development. By completing this form you agree to Pavilion processing your data and sending you information (if you have provided an email address) about the project on behalf of Hemspan.
Under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2000, we have a legal duty to protect any personal information we collect from you. We will only use personal information you supply us for the reason that you provided it for. We will only hold your information for as long as necessary to fulfil that purpose. We will not pass your information to any other parties. All employees and contractors who have access to your personal data, or are associated with the handling of that data, are obliged to respect your confidentiality. If you have any concerns please contact our Data Protection Officer on 020 7939 7950 or planning@pavilionpa.co.uk.
Contact
For further information or to request hard copies of the survey, please call 020 7939 7987 or email planning@pavilionpa.co.uk
Development team
Hemspan
HEMSPAN® is a construction technology business developing bio-based, circular systems to capture and store atmospheric carbon in buildings. Our BOPAS certified BIOHAUS® system is setting the benchmark for design and performance in construction technology, using bio-based materials to eliminate embodied carbon for new homes.

ADAM Architecture
ADAM Architecture is the leading practice specialising in Classical and Traditional Architecture , and contextual urban design.

Ceres Property
Ceres Property offers planning appraisals, representations, appeals, and hearings for various uses and projects across the south and east of England and also the Midlands.


ADAM Architecture previous development – Poundbury

ADAM Architecture previous development – Poundbury


Proposed Hemspan Rochford Park factory