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Consultation on the future of key development sites in Epping has been welcomed by the Leader of Epping Forest District Council, Councillor Chris Whitbread.
The plans proposed by the Council’s wholly-owned development company Qualis include residential housing, a cinema and a brand new £25 million leisure centre.
Councillor Whitbread said:
This is an exciting consultation geared towards bringing major benefits to the town of Epping and the wider district so it’s really important that Qualis hear the views of as many local people as possible.
The aim is to deliver a tremendous boost to the local economy, providing jobs as well as residential, leisure and retail opportunities to local people. A Covid-safe public consultation is scheduled to start on 7 September with further consultation planned later in the year. In the meantime I would encourage everyone to have their say via the online consultation.
We are really pleased to see Qualis starting the consultation on draft proposals which have been developed to complement the existing town centre and meet the needs of Epping and its communities. A vision is being created for Epping that will deliver new housing that is required for the district as well as community facilities, jobs and investment.
The scheme includes:
- State of the art leisure centre including 25m 6 lane pool, teaching pool, gym and health spa
- High quality housing for young people and families
- A car park incorporated into the Cottis Lane scheme
- Protecting the heart of Epping with a boutique cinema, bars and restaurants
- Qualis are dedicated to making Epping a stronger place
The full Qualis announcement
Qualis Commercial seeks public comments and opinions on five Epping sites
August 2020: Qualis Commercial is seeking comments for the five sites identified in the emerging Local Plan for redevelopment that signifies the start of a vibrant future for the whole of the district.
Following consultation and communications with the independent Quality Review Panel, and Epping Forest District Council Planning Team the emerging plans will shortly be available to view and comment on at the consultation platform https://workingtogetherforepping.commonplace.is This is the start of an exciting consultation period in which Qualis is seeking opinions and ideas from the public to develop the plans further.
Qualis Commercial has created a vision for Epping that will deliver new housing that is required for the district as well as community facilities, jobs and investment. Elements of the residential schemes will be developed to provide much needed affordable housing.
Working closely with its team of experts to assess the best location for every element, Qualis Commercial is proud of how these emerging proposals could make a real difference to the local economy and future generations.
The draft proposals show that the St Johns Road site, the Conder Building and car park at The Civic Centre and the Epping Sports Centre site will be purely residential schemes, with the Bakers Lane site being used specifically for a new leisure centre. By bringing together a strategy for the five sites it is proposed that it will be possible to maintain the current level of parking spaces to the town. The Cottis Lane site could be developed to provide car parking spaces in addition to other uses such as retail, offices, a new cinema and hotel to support and work in tandem with the existing High Street offer. This is an emerging vision and Qualis Commercial welcomes feedback as it continues its dialogue with Epping Forest District Council.
Following extensive work to ensure that the best location is proposed, a new £25 million leisure centre could now be delivered on Bakers Lane car park. This will include a six lane 25m pool, gym, health suite, studios, soft play area and a coffee shop. Qualis Commercial’s vision proposes that the neighbouring houses are properly screened with landscaping and tree planting along with every consideration given to light, noise and traffic. The location of this new facility will potentially also create increased footfall to the High Street and generate a real energy for the walkable town centre.
The Qualis vision also proposes that development is delivered with minimal disruption and brings forward sites in a way that aims to achieve no parking space reduction to help support the local economy and residents.
Sustainability is a key part of the proposals which promote active transport options, with public realm interconnecting green spaces and the creation of a network of healthy streets that prioritises people, cleans the air and encourages active lifestyles.
These draft proposals have all been designed to integrate with the existing town centre, embracing the history and culture and complementing the independent and national businesses. A holistic approach will be delivered to provide the community with a connected environment, providing stability for the established market and providing confidence in the future growth of the District.
A Covid-safe public consultation is also planned for 7 September 2020 and from this extensive consultation process, Qualis Commercial will then be in a position to evolve its planning proposals for the five identified sites, which will then be further consulted on later in the year.
Qualis Commercial looks forward to receiving as much feedback as possible to help develop truly collaborative developments. To have your say please visit – https://workingtogetherforepping.commonplace.is
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