Looking back at anger after publication of Epping Forest Local Plan

The fate of Epping Forest has been announced after the Local Plan revealed where the area’s new homes will be built.

The Epping Forest Local Plan was published on Tuesday night, and is due to be discussed at an extraordinary council meeting next Thursday.

But people have been left livid by the proposals, and campaigners say it proves the authority “didn’t listen to us at all”.

Here are the plans, broken down by area, and what it means for where you live...

Theydon Bois

The amount of homes to be built in Theydon Bois has dropped from 360 to just 57 - almost 16 per cent.

The news has sparked anger as it is the only area to see its housing allocation dropped by such a considerable amount.

In total, 12 of the homes will be built on Theydon Bois Tube Station and the rest will be built in a tiny area at the top of Forest Drive.

Planning boss councillor John Phillip represents the ward, but could not be reached for comment.

Last week, the Epping Forest Guardian revealed this information after documents were leaked to us.

Loughton town councillor Stephen Murray, an independent, said: "The apparent double standards as regards to the almost dropping of the proposed number of homes is unbelievable.”

Jessel Green

In total, 154 homes will be built in Jessel Green, in Debden, much to the dismay of people who fought so hard to save the land.

Neil Bartlett, one of the driving forces behind the campaign to stop it fm happening, said: “It’s not just a piece of land that gets poohed on, it’s loved, really dearly by the community.

“We don’t want to lose it. I love it here.”

It has held fun days over the years and is a hub for people walking their dogs, children on their bikes and dads playing football with their children.

But four out of the five schools in the area are oversubscribed and the plan contains no provision to build a sixth.

He added: “The tubes and the roads are rammed by 7.15am. This won’t work.”

Cllr Murray added: “Words cannot describe how angry I am that Epping Forest District Council has decided to go ahead with the development on Jessel Green, the equivalent of our village green.

“Once again local residents have been ignored.”

The Debden estate was planned and built in the 1950s with these recreational areas included.

“If it was good enough for the 1950s surely it is still important in 2017,” he added.

The estate has already seen 19 developments - most of them large - since the 1980s.

Loughton

Loughton Library, in Traps Hill, has been added to the plan and 11 new homes could be built there.

Loughton Underground car park will be shut, and 165 homes are to be built instead.

Debden Underground car park will also be shut and replaced with 192 new homes.

The land at the former Epping Forest College will see 111 new homes.

Waltham Abbey

The amount of homes in Waltham Abbey has risen, from 800 to 858.

Up to five traveller pitches can be built to the back of Lea Valley Nursery, Crooked Mile.

Employment sites, such as Howard Business Park and Breeches Farm, have also been identified.

Galley Hill Road is earmarked for 295 homes, Lea Valley Nursery, Crooked Mile 315 homes and Parklands 130 homes.

The Fire Station in Sewardstone Road will get16 homes and Waltham Abbey Community Centre will 67 homes with re-provision of a community centre.

Waltham Abbey Swimming Pool could get 27 homes.

However, these developments have the potential to produce air pollution so the plan says appropriate assessments will need to be carried out.

North Weald

The amount of homes in the area will drop from 1,580 to 1,050.

However, Thornwood and Hastingwood could see 1,050 new homes.

If this were to be built, new infrastructure such as a nursery and a new primary school would be built. A five-pitch traveller site would also be provided.

The plan identifies the land at Bluemans as being capable of bearing 223 new homes, and Tylers Farm, 21 new homes.

Nazeing

The amount of homes in Nazeing will drop from 220 to 122. Sites include Perry Hill and Pound Close.

Ongar

The biggest news to come out of this area is the fact that the Ongar Leisure Centre has been removed from the plan.

People who fought hard to save it from demolition were delighted with the news, but warned more still needs to be done to protect the area.

The land at Bowes Field will get 135 homes, the land west of Ongar will get 99 homes, and the land north of Chelmsford Road will get 163 homes, amongst others.

Thornwood

The amount of homes in Thornwood rises from 130 to 172.

Chigwell

The amount of homes has been reduced from 430 to 376.

Roydon

Around 2,100 homes will be built in the area, including at the Old Coal Yard and Kingsmead School.

It also confirms infrastructure will be built in the area, including nurseries, a new two-form entry primary school and a five-pitch traveller site.

Epping

Epping London Underground car park will see 89 homes.

Epping library will be replaced with 11 new homes, and part of the civic offices will be turned into 44 new homes.

Meanwhile, 47 homes will be built on Cottis Lane car park will Epping Sports Centre will be turned into 43 new homes.

Bakers Lane car park will see 31 new homes built on it.

Buckhurst Hill

Some 87 new homes are proposed for construction in the area, 31 at a site in Powell Road, 41 on the Queens Road car park and 15 in Lower Queens Road, as part of a mixed-use development.

Coopersale

Six new homes

Fyfield

Fourteen new homes

High Ongar

Ten new homes

Lower Sheering

Fourteen homes

Sheering

Eighty four homes

Stapleford Abbotts

Forty seven homes

The extraordinary council meeting will be held next Thursday, December 14, at Epping Forest District Council’s offices at 6pm.