New Local Plan

The coalition government has made it one of its priorities to make sure that local people have more say in the decisions that affect where they live.

The government has made clear its intention to abolish regional housing and employment targets, and when this happens it will be the responsibility of the Council to work with local communities and use the evidence we have on housing need to decide how many houses to build and where the best locations are.

Epping Forest District Council currently uses an adopted Local Plan to make decisions on planning applications and manage development in the district. The government requires that this is replaced with a new Local Plan.

See where we are in producing the new Local Plan

See the timeline for producing the new Local Plan

What is a Local Plan?

The new Local Plan will set out the plans and policies that will guide development in Epping Forest district for the next 20 years, replacing the current local plan. The document will seek the appropriate balance between protecting green spaces, new homes, businesses, shops and leisure and will include:

• A vision for how the district will develop
• A plan setting out appropriate locations for development
• Policies to manage housing, employment, green space, community facilities, etc.

Why do we need housing and employment growth in Epping Forest District?

• The population of the district is increasing and changing. This creates a need for more housing and different types of housing (e.g. affordable, for the elderly and those with special needs).
• There is a need to ensure the local economy is able to provide jobs and services for local residents, and for these to be close to where they live. There are energy conservation and pollution reduction benefits if the level of commuting into London can be minimised.
• It is necessary for employment land and premises to be of high quality and easily accessible so that there can be effective competition with adjoining areas.
• There is a need to reduce unemployment and provide opportunities for those gaining qualifications locally.
• A number of areas in the district suffer from economic and social deprivation.
• To replace outdated facilities such as schools and community centres.
• The district's main shopping centres need to be able to remain competitive despite signficiant competition from a number of much larger centres. Currently 85% of residents shop elsewhere for necessities.

What do we need to consider when planning for growth?

• How we can work towards achieving the community's vision for the future of the district.
• The potential environmental, economic and social benefits of new development.
• The protection and maintenance of the Green Belt.
• The protection and maintenance of the open character of the rural landscape and the setting of towns and villages in the countryside.
• The protection of the historic built environment including conservation areas, listed buildings and their settings, and ancient landscape.
• The conservation of protected species and sites with important wildlife.
• The implications of climate change, including building design, energy conservation, renewable energy, increased flood risk and the protection of the most valuable agricultural land.
• Impacts on existing infrastructure (e.g. road congestion and the rail network, car park capacity at Central Line stations).
• Accessibility to services including health, education, leisure, shops and public transport (of particular concern in rural areas).