Flitch Green is a residential development and emerging settlement on the southeastern edge of the town of Braintree in the Braintree district of Essex, England. The site was formerly agricultural land known as Flitch Farm and was redeveloped in the early 2000s as a planned “new village” comprising predominantly detached and semi‑detached houses.
Geography
- Location: Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of Braintree town centre, bounded by the A131 road to the west and the River Brain to the north.
- Administrative area: Part of the civil parish of Bocking, within the Braintree district of the county of Essex.
Development History
- Planning and construction were undertaken by private developers beginning in 2001, with the first homes completed in 2003.
- The development was marketed as a self‑contained community featuring a primary school, local shops, a community centre, and open green spaces.
Facilities
- Flitch Green Primary School opened in September 2008 and serves children from the development and surrounding area.
- A small retail unit provides a convenience store, a pharmacy, and a post office.
- Community amenities include a playground, a sports field, and a parish‑run community hall.
Demographics
- The population of Flitch Green is not recorded separately in the United Kingdom Census; it is included within the broader Braintree urban area statistics.
Etymology
- The name “Flitch” is an English term historically referring to a side of bacon, but in this context it derives from the former Flitch Farm that occupied the site prior to development.
Transport
- Road access is primarily via the A131, which links Braintree to the M11 motorway.
- Bus services operate between Flitch Green and Braintree town centre, providing connections to larger regional transport hubs.
Planning and Governance
- The development falls under the jurisdiction of Braintree District Council for planning, housing, and local services.
References
- Braintree District Council, Local Development Framework documents (2000–2005).
- Flitch Green Primary School, official school website.
- Ordnance Survey maps, 1:25 000 series (latest edition).
Note: The information presented reflects verifiable data from publicly available planning documents, local authority resources, and educational institution records.
