Planning policy
Sustainable and healthy living consultation
Sustainable and healthy living consultation
Epping Forest District Council declared a climate emergency in September 2019, and made a commitment to make the district net carbon zero by 2030.
To help meet this ambition we have prepared the EFDC Sustainability Guidance and Checklist documents for major developments and minor developments They will provide practical and technical guidance for developers and officers on how to achieve and assess high quality environmental, social and economic sustainability and health across the district.
We are also working together with partner authorities on the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Sustainability Guidance and Checklist, and Healthy Garden Town Framework.
Have your say
We are consulting on these documents and would like to hear your views. The consultation for all 3 documents will run for 6 weeks from midday on 2 November to midday on 14 December 2020. The map below explains how the various documents relate to different areas of development within the district and surrounding areas.

Map explaining the separate audiences for the 3 documents under consultation; Harlow and Gilston Garden Town residents (including those in the new strategic masterplan areas currently under development) should refer to the HGGT sustainability guidance and the healthy garden town framework documents. EFDC residents who live in the rest of the district should refer to the EFDC sustainability guidance documents
View the documents
How to get involved?
During this consultation period we are welcoming views on what is important for your home, health, local neighbourhood and your thoughts on sustainability, the climate emergency and the pandemic.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- View documents above (hard copies are available on request)
- Attend an online Community Q&A on 30 November from 6pm to 7.30pm – to reserve your place email ldfconsult@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
- Send your comments to ldfconsult@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or write ‘FREEPOST HGGT’ on the front of an envelope
- Watch the online video and complete the Sustainability and Health questionnaire
How will your response be used?
The responses will be used to finalise the documents which are being developed as planning material considerations to support the implementation and aspirations of the district’s emerging Local Plan.
Your responses will ultimately help inform the delivery of sustainable developments across the Epping Forest district.
For further information please contact: