Local environment

Between the forest and the river
Surrounded by land that cannot be developed, Loughton's 'island' situation can be threatened as the demand for homes grows. In-filling - the demolition of a large building and replacement by a number of smaller dwellings - has become common and can be acceptable if the design is in sympathy with surrounding buildings and the site is not overcrowded. However LRA opposes backland development - the building of houses on parts of gardens - as there are often problems of access, site overcrowding and overlooking other properties. We do not support the use of Green Belt land where other options exist.

Thousands of new houses: threat withdrawn
The new Government have formally revoked all England’s (RSSs), except the one for the London Plan, and this means the RSS housing targets will be abolished. Local plans, drawn up with the help of the community, will become the basis for local planning decisions. More.
Over a million more people are expected to live in the region by 2031, increasing the demand for affordable homes and public services. Under the previous planning regime, our Regional Planning Body suggested a large increase in housing in Essex, with particular emphasis on the Harlow and Epping Forest areas.
An independent study estimated that it would have cost £7.5bn to meet the infrastructure needs of the large housing growth proposed in the East of England Plan. This would have been in addition to a current infrastructure deficit in the county identified in the study of £2.4bn.
Our local hospitals, schools and roads would have come under ever-increasing pressure. In particular, we think that a southern development south of Harlow, with its related transport system, would have had unacceptable effects on Loughton.
We will keep a watchful eye on future proposals.

Affordable Housing Position, July 2009
The past shortage of affordable housing has been primarily due to the lack of new land for private residential housing. The District has met (and significantly exceeded) the former Essex Structure Plan targets for residential properties.
The District Council is considering new land allocations for new private and affordable housing to meet the allocations in the East of England Plan, which the council has to allocate 3,500 new homes up to the year 2021 – around 3,000 of these have either already been built or have planning permission, leaving land for only an additional 500 new homes to be found. (This excludes the council’s contribution to the growth of Harlow). The District Council has issued a “Call for Sites” to assess the most appropriate location for the required additional land. The submissions from landowners are currently being considered.
50 affordable properties are due to be completed in 2009/10. Outline and detailed planning permission has been given for a further 291 affordable properties, and there are a maximum of 193 affordable properties available from further sites notified as under consideration by developers (some of which may not get planning permission).

Open aspects
LRA town councillors have worked to preserve the surrounding environment for local residents, particularly by reinforcing the open aspect of land between Loughton and Theydon Bois and acquiring the Willingale Road fields as a playing field. They secured transfer of two allotment sites from the District Council to the Town Council, and are negotiating the transfer of ownership of the Roding Valley fields.

Upper Lea Valley Landscape Strategy looks at the environment of the Lee Valley Regional Park, its waterways and the relationship of these areas to the surrounding urban areas; it aims to provide a more accessible, more multifunctional area of open space of regional importance.The Lea Valley Federation regards these proposals as of the utmost importance – see “News” box at www.leavalleyfederation.org

Epping Forest Management Plan 2004 – 2010: An updated summary is available at the Epping Forest website.
Heritage Fund money for Epping Forest. £6.8m from the Fund, the City of London and the County Council will be spent on improved visitor access, learning opportunities and habitat conservation throughout the Forest, including a new Interpretation Centre at the Coach House, next to Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, school programmes, protecting trees and extending cattle-grazing.

Trees

Trees in the High Road
LRA has fought a long campaign to get new trees on the High Road, and we have finally succeeded! For more.

Plant a tree: the District Council have a scheme whereby you can apply to have a tree planted on the verge. It costs £75. You can use it as a memorial or, as for a recent case LRA was involved in, to hide an unprepossessing view from your window. More details on http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/ (enter "tree donation" in the "search site" box).

Existing trees on public land. If you want to get a dead or missing tree replaced, or an overgrown tree dealt with, ring 01992 564562 for trees on the highway or on District council housing land.

Existing trees on private land. For potentially dangerous trees on private land adjacent to the highway, 01279 624500.

Tree Preservation Orders: 01992 564117

Replace that tree!
If a roadside tree near you dies (or disappears), please email the District Council to say a replacement is needed, giving precise details of where the tree is/was and ask them to pass the message to “Street Scene and Environment”. Replacements should appear in the new planting season (Autumn to Spring). The new trees are ordered in the Spring for the following planting season, so please report losses as they occur! (This does not apply to trees on private land.”)

Vandalism of Trees
If you see anyone damaging trees, please ring the police at once (999 for emergencies; 0300 333 4444 otherwise). Apart from the possibility that they may be able to take action, it is important that the local crime figures fully reflect what goes on, as they help to determine how many officers we get locally.