Forum now open!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
EPPING RESIDENTS GROUP AGM WILL BE HELD AT EPPING HALL ON THE 8TH OF FEBRUARY AT 8PM IN THE GARDEN LOUNGE. MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
Extraordinary meeting held on the 19th of January - web cam of meeting :-
EFDC cabinet meeting 4th of January 2010 - can be viewed on webcam. See Latest News tab on the left (sub heading) for full details
LATEST SUSTAINABILITY REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT - SEP.09
Latest report on the proposed sites across the district. http://rds.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/Published/C00000623/M00005886/$$Supp5120dDocPackPublic.pdf?ku=30353527$RTW
FINAL PITCH NUMBERS CONFIRMED!!
The action groups comprising Epping Forest District Residents Collective had all individually lobbied the Secretary of State as your community representative's and had provided research, compiled by Thornwood Action, to back up our claims of a further reduction from 34 to 20 pitches and a reduction in the annual percentage increase from 3% to 1%. However the policy for the East of England has just been published and the requirement for the Epping Forest District remains at 34. In January 2006 Epping Forest District had 94 authorised pitches and must now have a minimum of 128 pitches by 2011. The East of England as a whole will have 3,019 pitches by 2011. 'Beyond 2011 provision should be made for an annual 3% compound increase in residential pitch provision equivalent to 1,038 additional pitches between 2011 and 2021 distributed on the basis of districts accommodating the same proportion of the regional requirement. The 3% compound increase in provision will ensure that accommodation will be available to meet the continuing needs after 2011.'
The report also comments that 'Development Plan Documents should consider the need for rural exception sites and the alteration of Green Belt boundaries where necessary, to meet the required provision.'
Read the full report and related documents at:
www.gos.gov.uk/goeast/planning/regional_planning/687221/
NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED
We are currently looking for some new committee members that have experience with the following:-
- Websites
- Press
- Fund raising experience
If you can help please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Epping Forest District Council is being forced by The Government to provide a number of Gypsy sites in this District, if they do not provide and name these sites then The Government will appoint a site. EFDC have drawn up a list of potential sites with the help of an agency.
This is without prejudice to the Gypsy and Traveller community
There are only two ways forward either we get the Government to change their mind or we come up with suitable sites ourselves that minimize the impact these sites might have on the community.
We believe that a lot the sites chosen are too large for the number of pitches proposed to be placed on them. We are sure that if this happens it will lead to over expansion and be un-police able.
View the consultation document by clicking here
If you wish to still write a letter with your thoughts, we encourage this, please write to the address below:-
Epping Forest District Council
Forward Planning - Gypsies and Travellers Consultation
FREEPOST CL 3360
Civic Offices
High Street
Epping
Essex CM16 4YA
We need to raise money to fund this both on the planning front and the legal front so any donation you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Either donate via paypal on this site or pop a cheque in the post to our ERG address (see contacts page) - Many thanks
The report says the Gypsy & travellors need 0.1 hectare per plot thats 1/4 acre !
INFORMATION
The public consultation started on the 4th November and ended on the 20th of February 2009. We have submitted our opposition based on planning criteria and await news. We are however still working behind the scenes looking for alternative sites to put forward that are more suitable. There are too many rumours flying around if you want to be kept informed and make a difference to this community you are going to have to put yourselves out and attend meetings. The Council and the Government work for us and we have to show our discontent in number but peacfully and by coming up with ideas as one community.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/essex-says-no/
Other information that you may find useful is on the Epping Forum www.eppingforum.co.uk .
Don't forget to post your comments on our forum as it all helps. If you can suggest any alternative sites it would be extremely useful.
