Loughton Broadway Parking & Redevelopment

The latest position
’parking scheme, and a significant reduction in the projected advertising costs, we are still unable to get a firm commitment from the Conservative majority that the scheme will go ahead – although it has already been through an initial public consultation! The schemes for Epping and Buckhurst Hill will be carried out first, and then the Broadway scheme – IF there is any money left. Given the mismanagement so far by the District Council and the County Council, we are very concerned – and very angry – about the situation, which leaves Debden residents under tremendous parking pressure!

Epping Forest District Council has asked Essex County Council to complete the implementation of works following the review of the Epping parking scheme; which was initially implemented in August 2007. Changes were made in light of comments received from residents and businesses. More. (Until this and the other earlier scheme are finished, nothing will happen on the much-needed scheme for The Broadway area).
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The Broadway area (Debden) development plans
On March 29th 2011 the District Council (EFDC) discussed the draft West Essex Local Investment Plan, which includes the following: 
“The Broadway is part of overspill estate from 1950s, town centre constructed in range of 2 broad runs of buildings with retail and community facilities on ground floor, residential above. Debden estate was originally 100% council housing with substantial homes now sold under right to buy with the remainder still in Council control. Most of the land is in public ownership, apart from Debden Underground Station.
 
Land assembly is expected to be straightforward, but existing developments may cause problems, e.g. BP site and the small Sainsbury’s. There is a local aspiration for a petrol station but the current brief specifies the site as re providing retail, with housing above, and significant improvement to transport interchange. Other sites such as the Winston Churchill Pub have fairly new leases. There is lot of interest in the pub site from one small-scale developer.

The Broadway Development and Design Brief was adopted by EFDC at Council on 25 September 2008; the report included the following paragraph; “Following adoption, the brief will become a material consideration in the assessment of any future planning applications for the locality. The brief will also build upon Local Plan policies and may eventually provide the basis of an Area Action Plan – a Development Plan Document within the new Local Development Framework."

The Council is looking at how it can use its land assets to deliver the aspirations set out in the Brief. Discussions are at an early stage and an officer group is being formed. The Council needs to determine how much housing should be affordable and how much private. Affordable housing is the priority for the Council in the area although a substantial capital receipt could be gained from market housing. The expectation is that there will be at least 40% affordable housing as set out in the policy. The location is sustainable as it is near a school, tube station, shops etc.
We do not expect any action on these plans in the near future, although we understand that the Council is continuing the preparatory work.