Epping Residents Group

North Epping proposed sites

Planning objections

1.  
   1. Wintry Park Farm (Farm Land)
2. ***** Update - the conservation officer at EFDC has objected to Wintry Park Farm due to its close proximity to a listed building - under HC12 of local plan.
3.  'The proposed site is ancient farmland at Wintry Park, the siting of 6 pitches will spoil the setting of a grade II listed building'****

                                                              i.      Right of way and Public Footpath would be compromised by site development.  Epping County Council feel that public rights of way crossing or bordering the land would be inappropriate for use as Gypsy/Traveller sites. Highways Act 1980 (section 130)

                                                            ii.      Site would be built over a 24” water main feeding Epping

                                                          iii.      Poor site access (Minor unmade track)

                                                           iv.      Egress to major road at 50mph already a traffic blackspot

                                                             v.      Requires way-leave to cross Corporation of London land managed as part of SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)

                                                           vi.      No mains drainage nearby

                                                         vii.      Impact upon a listed building (within 10 mtrs); Grade II listed farmhouse

                                                       viii.      Major impact on Green-Belt protection and planning policy

                                                           ix.      Visual and environmental impact on the landscape, particularly as EFDC proposal is to ‘light’ the site and access route.  Currently an unlit track.

                                                             x.      Close proximity to SSSI and protected habitat and species including great crested newts, bats, deer

                                                           xi.      Reduction in earning capacity of tenant farmer

                                                         xii.      Not a site preferred by Travellers. Close proximity to other proposed sites and urban development

                                                       xiii.      Both sites equate to10 pitches (20 Mobile homes + up to 60 touring caravans). In excess of 150 people which is greater in ‘building impact’ and population than the immediate permanent community of 12 Houses and some 35 people.

                                                       xiv.      Too close to major settled community

                                                         xv.      In planning terms this would be considered infill, creating ribbon development and has historically been strenuously resisted by EFDC

1.  
   2. Thornwood Rd Allotments (Wintry Park)

                                                              i.      Located too near to a power sub-station and under high voltage power cables

                                                            ii.      Would remove the allotments,  which are in use

                                                          iii.      Major impact on Green-Belt protection and planning policy

                                                           iv.      Poor site access (minor unmade track)

                                                             v.      Egress to major road at 50mph

                                                           vi.      Requires way-leave to cross Corporation of London land managed as part of SSSI

                                                         vii.      Not a site preferred by Travellers. Close proximity to other proposed sites and urban development

                                                       viii.      No mains drainage nearby