Planning Application submitted by Blake's Golf Club
A recent planning application has been submitted by Blake’s Golf Club, Epping Road. The planning application is for change of use of agricultural land and the importation of 65,095 cubic metres of inert waste to facilitate the construction of phase one of a second 18 hole golf course. Details of the application can be viewed on the EFDC website (application ref EPF/2388/09) and The Essex County Council website (application ref ESS/48/09/EPF)
Should anyone want to make an objection or require further information on the planning application, they need to contact Shelley Bailey at Essex County Council (01245 437577 shelley.bailey@essex.gov.uk and Jill Shingler at Epping Forest District Council (01992 564106). Shelley at ECC will accept objections until 22nd January (note this deadline has already been extended). EFDC are technically closed to further representations but comments made to Jill will be passed on to Essex County Council but they will only count as EFDC’s objection. It is important that comments/objections are passed directly to Essex County Council in addition to Epping Forest District Council to ensure that all parties are up-to-date and aware of local comments, concerns and objections not only in relation to this planning application but also subsequent planning applications in the village.
The following information contains some of the information contained in the planning application together with concerns and comments received from residents of the village. To find out more information for yourself, why not view the planning application ,details above, there is of course much more information than highlighted below contained in the application. The information and concerns below have been provided to me by a number of North Weald residents, some information has been taken from the planning application and the concerns are based on the views of some residents living in the village.
Vehicle Movements and Waste:
The supporting information states that there will be 150 vehicle movements per day between 7am and 5pm. This equates to 15 movements per hour, or one lorry every 4 minutes. Over the three year construction period this could mean a total of 135,000.
Landscape
The site is designated as an Ancient Landscape by the EFDC Local Plan Proposals Map by virtue of being one of the finest examples of a Saxon Deer Park, dating back to 1095. The topography of the land itself is the most important surviving feature. It is striking and unique to the area; there is no other landscape like it in the vicinity.
There is nothing included in the application to secure preservation of the Redoubt itself which is excluded from the application site. It simply states that a separate application for restoration and public access will be ‘prepared at some future date’
The landscape provides an important setting for the three Listed Buildings at Ongar Park Hall and development as proposed could have a significant detrimental effect on these buildings.
Green Belt
The site lies within the Green Belt. Although golf courses are usually considered to be appropriate development in the Green Belt.
The landscape it will be replacing has important visual qualities of its own.
Protected Species
The ecological surveys found badgers, bats, reptiles, amphibians, Great Crested Newts, water voles and birds on the site. Although various mitigation measures are proposed, they found that the development could have a ‘significant impact on habitats and protected species.
Rights of Way
There are 5 ROWs across the site consisting of footpaths and bridleway.
These are well used and are of great amenity value to the local community. Bridleway 18 in particular is a particularly important part of the network since it provides a gallop across open land which is a rarity in the area.
Whatever your views, please let them be known. Some may support the proposed planning application and a new Golf Course in the village, others may have very valid concerns and object to it.
Please let me know if you are in favour or object to the planning application so that I can share this with other residents
The North Weald Residents Group are also aware of the details of the planning application and need to know how residents of North Weald feel about the plans. A representative of the group said ‘ We have been asked for our response but as we represent the residents of the village it is essential that we are hear from residents with their views, thoughts, concerns and feedback, this in turn will enable us to respond on behalf of the village accurately and with no assumptions.' If you would like to email them directly, you can email the NWRA directly with your comments, alternatively I can share your feedback with committee members.
The proposal mentions small improvements to the ROW’s, however these are already in good condition.
Council Appeal against Gypsy and Traveller Direction
The Leader of Epping Forest District Council will appeal directly to the Government for the removal of the Direction requiring the Council to consult upon and develop a separate Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document. The letter to Right Honourable John Healey MP, Minister for Housing and Planning within the Department of Communities and Local Government was recommended at the Cabinet meeting on 4 January to Full Council on 19 January for final approval.
Councillor Di Collins will publish a letter on behalf of the Council drawing attention to the substantial increase in provision of authorised pitches since the Government Direction. She will state that the workload associated with continuation of the Government Direction is putting other planning priorities at risk. She will seek approval for the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document to be subsumed within the Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework. She will seek support from all three local MPs and the Shadow Minister.
Councillors also asked Councillor Collins to remind the Minister that the new planning framework was supposed to streamline processes and reduce costs. The Direction seems to have created the opposite effect. Councillors complimented the local community for the amount of work that had gone into the responses to the consultation and stressed that this evidence base was a key input to further work on the DPD.
Epping Forest District Council is required to identify space to accommodate a minimum of 34 additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches by 2011. Through the normal planning process, permissions and approvals have reduced this figure to about 20. However, more than 10,500 people responded individually or as part of groups to the consultation on potential sites. This led to a massive evaluation exercise for Council staff which has taken far longer than the Government timetable envisaged.
The Council wants to streamline the process by subsuming the Gypsy and Traveller issues into the Core Strategy as part of the Local Development Framework. The LDF replaces the Local Plan as the ‘blue-print’ for policies against which future planning applications are judged. Completion of the LDF is considered vital by the Council as it prepares with Harlow and East Herts District Councils to implement the recommendations of the East of England Plan.
The Council will continue the preparation of the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document pending the Minister’s response.
Councillor Di Collins said: “There is enormous strength of feeling among residents and councillors. We believe the original Government Direction was flawed. We are now appealing to the Minister to look at the outcome of that Direction - the process that Epping Forest District Council has followed - and listen to local residents and councillors and the evidence we have already collected. If he listens, I believe he must understand that the Direction should be lifted and local people should be trusted with the power to make decisions for ourselves.”
Snow in North Weald
After a small amount of snow fell overnight, residents woke up on Wednesday 6th January to heavy snow falling throughout the day, causing dreadful traffic conditions, especially on side roads, local schools to be closed and many residents not being able to go to work.
The hill close to the village hall became the latest meeting place, for children and adults armed with sleighs, trays, innertubes and even aprons to have fun sledging.
I took many photographs of the snowy weather, you cannot deny that it does make the village look like a winter wonderland. To the left you can see some of these, and you can view more by visiting the NEW gallery (coming soon). If you have any you would like to send me of snowmen or funny snow pictures in the village, why not send email them to me.
Recycling and Refuse Collections continued
On Thursday 8th January, Epping Forest District Council confirmed that all waste and recycling collection services were resumed following the temporary suspension of the service on the 7th January.
The Council is aware of the roads that have been missed and is endeavouring to collect as much waste as possible. Where it is safe to do so, we will start to collect from areas that have waited the longest for a collection. However because of continuing icy conditions it may not be possible to collect from all of these areas.
They ask that everybody continues to put out waste and recycling for collection in the normal way. They have confirmed that they will collect all side waste (additional waste placed next to your container) during this bad weather period. If you would like any further information please contact them directly on 01992 564608.
St Andrews School Reopens
St Andrews School reopens. After the school closed for three days last week due to the bad weather, the school reopened Monday 11th January.
Mrs Gill Young, Head Teacher, greeted parents dropping off their children in the morning explaining that because of the amount of snow covering the playground, children would not be allowed out to play during the day.
North Weald Primary School Recognised
During September, Ofsted visited St Andrews C of E Voluntary Aided Primary School based in School Green Lane. The two day visit took place on 15th and 16th September, and the result was that the School was judged by Ofsted to be a Good School.
Head Teacher Mrs Gill Young is delighted that the School has now been officially recognised and said 'We are absolutely thrilled. This is a celebration and acknowledgement of all the hard work by Pupils, Staff, Governors and Parents to raise the profile and success of our school. Our SATs results have improved steadily across 6 years.'
The school teaches children from the age of 4 - 11 years and currently has over 200 pupils. In addition to the usual subject areas, the school provides a number of activities including a school choir, musical instrument lessons, Art & Craft club, and a wide range of sporting clubs including Netball, Football, Tag Rugby, Cross Country, Swimming, Golf, Karate and French.
The Ofsted report recognised in particular, how well young pupils settled into the Reception class and based on the feedback from pupils acknowledged how well they enjoyed school in all years.
Mrs Young said 'We welcome all visitors who would like to contact us and look around the school to see for themselves. We Still have places available for 4 year olds to join our Early Years Unit opening in January'
If you would like any further information on either the Early Years Unit or in relation to any aspect of the Ofsted Report or St Andrews School, please contact them on 01992 522283.
Free Security Advice for Residents
A new initiative offering free security advice has been launched by the Epping Forest District Safer Communities Partnership by the Epping Forest District Safer Communities Partnership to all local residents who are considering making improvements to their security.
The free independent security advice is being offered to all householders in the district by Essex Police together with Epping Forest District Council.
Community Safety and Transport Portfolio holder Syd Stavrou said: "This is a practical initiative designed to help residents with their security. The advice is free and impartial from two officers who have over 60 years of policing experience between them. We hope that by introducing this as a service we will prevent residents falling victim to crime."
Chief Inspector Alan Ray District Police Commander for Epping Forest District said: "This is a very good partnership initiative, fittingly launched during Not in my Neighbourhood week. These officers have been carrying out joint security surveys for some time when crimes have occurred and they have proved very reassuring with householders. This initiative will extend this service to a wider group of residents."
The team comprises of Tony Ellis who is the Essex Police Crime Reduction Officer and Paul Gardener, Epping Forest District Council Safer Communities Officer.
If you would like to request a free survey from experienced officers by contacting the Councils Safer Communities Team by telephone to 01992 564608 or email to safercommunities@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
