The first major development was in 1969 with the construction of 60 executive style properties on former farm land to the north of the village.

Most notably in 2001 when an application to build 4,000 homes on farmland was rejected by Chelmsford City (then Borough) Council.

The Parish Council successfully arranged a 100 year lease on this land, handing it over to the local community as a green space.

In 2006, the festival was opened by former Formula One driver and The Stig from BBC's Top Gear Perry McCarthy.

It comprises the west arch of the crossing of the church (estimated to date from about 1250) with attached fragments of the nave and north transept.

On 9 February 2023, Bicknacre was the epicentre of a small earthquake with a magnitude of 2.6 which was felt as far away as South Woodham Ferrers and Chelmsford.