Plans to deliver approximately 18 football fields of space for industry and storage to create an influx of jobs are in their early stages – and residents are being consulted for their opinions.
Epping Forest District Council has published some initial proposals for a jobs-led development at North Weald Airfield.
As landowner of the eastern-side of North Weald Airfield, the council is seeking to deliver 10 hectares of employment space to “provide significant local employment and entrepreneurial opportunities”.
In these early stages, the proposal are yet to be formalised, however the council is seeking residents’ views on its plans.
Cllr Nigel Bedford, cabinet member for planning and sustainability, said: “We want to ensure that local people’s concerns are understood and taken on board in our master planning.
“This is early in the process and no decisions have been made. It is also not a statutory consultation. A 6-week formal public consultation will take place early in the summer.
“This initial consultation is intended to inform stakeholders of the process and why it is happening and to gather opinions from a wide range of stakeholders.”
Early plans include an ambition to use sustainable technology and infrastructure to “produce energy, manage water and drainage and improve the natural environment”.
The council is also exploring improving traffic accessibility to the site, with plans afoot for one new access point from Epping Road and another from North Weald Village, at the south of the site,
Cllr Aniket Patel, cabinet member for commercial and regulatory services, said: “North Weald Airfield already has a thriving business community as well as being a base for Essex Air Ambulance and the Police National Air Service.
“This masterplan focuses on developing opportunities to bring more employment to the airfield which is a major asset in the economic future of our district.”
Residents have until December 17 to share their views online: www.nwairfieldconsultation.co.uk/#consultation-engagement
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