Shenfield

For other uses, see Shenfield (disambiguation).

Shenfield
Population	5,432
OS grid reference	TQ614950
District	Brentwood
Shire county	Essex
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BRENTWOOD
Postcode district	CM15
Dialling code	01277
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Brentwood & Ongar

Shenfield is a commuter suburb of Brentwood in the borough of the same name in Essex, England.

History

The name originates from the Anglo-Saxon Chenefield, meaning 'good lands'.

The old village (now town), by the church and Green Dragon pub, lies along the original Roman road (now the A1023) which linked London and Colchester.

Nathaniel Ward, a Puritan clergyman and author, was made minister of the Shenfield church in 1648 and held that office until his death in 1652.

Geography

The farmlands in the greenbelt behind the northern-most row of houses in Shenfield off Chelmsford Road.

Shenfield, with Hutton, is part of the conurbation of Brentwood. The original town centre is located one mile (1.6 km) north-east of the centre of Brentwood. Apart from some small industrial areas and a modest but busy shopping area, Shenfield serves predominantly as a dormitory town for commuters to London and surrounding towns such as Romford and Basildon. This is facilitated by easy access to the A12 and the M25 and rail services.

The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin and St Mary's primary school is located nearby.

Shenfield's recreational areas include the Courage playing fields on the Chelmsford Road and playing fields on Alexander Lane, next to Shenfield High School. The Courage playing fields contain a play area and a cricket pitch used by the third team of Shenfield Cricket Club. Next door to the Courage playing fields is the cricket club itself. The land was granted by the Courage brewing family for use by the cricket club. The club's badge is a cockerel, which echoes both the trade mark of the Courage brand and the weathervane on St Mary's church. The Courage Playing Fields are supposed to be upgraded by Brentwood Borough Council.

The town of Hutton, to the east of Shenfield, is now largely part of the built-up area.

Transport

Shenfield railway station, located on the Great Eastern Main Line and a junction for services for the Southend and Southminster which is accessed via changing at Wickford, Services operated by Abellio Greater Anglia, and the terminus for the all stops service to Liverpool Street operated by TfL Rail, the station is situated at the eastern end of the high street.

Shenfield's significance in the London Commuter Belt will increase as the Crossrail project proceeds since it is intended to be the eastern terminus.

Bus routes in Shenfield 9A 9 81 X81 339 351 251 608 (TFL Operated)

Schools

There are two state secondary school and two state primary schools. These are Shenfield High School and St Martins School, Shenfield St Mary's, Church of England school, and Long Ridings just on the edge of town between Shenfield and Hutton.

Retail and shopping

The shopping area in Shenfield is very suburban and was built in the 1930s. The shops include Costa Coffee, a Tesco Express, a Co-operative Food, Barclays Bank, Martins newsagent, Rowlands Pharmacy, Woody's Cafe and Westbury Consultancy. There is one of "Britain's finest jewellers" replacing the former Franklin Jewellers shop.

Development

With CrossRail arriving in Shenfield by 2018 the area especially Hutton Road, the town centre, is being redeveloped. The station forecourt will be changed drastically. The busy congested taxi rank will be relocated as well as the road being cobbled and new trees being planted and information point. Street lights in Hutton Road are being upgraded. As shown above, there are plans for a 500-home housing development called Officers Meadow, next to Shenfield High School's playing field. There are also plans for a Shenfield Country Park, also next to Shenfield High School.

Demographics

Shenfield is predominantly white. There are a small number of Asians living in the area (particularly Mauritian) and a South African community. The local butchers sells South African meat.