Epping Forest District Council Elections 2024

Epping Forest is for Everyone to Love

Epping Forest District Council is the northern heart of the wonderful ancient Epping Forest. While the Forest land is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation, it is also decisions made by the local council that affect the daily life of the Forest. From ensuring people can access the Forest easily to halting excessive or damaging adjacent development, it is within Epping Forest District Council that decisions are made to protect and nurture the Forest for generations to come, or condemn it to greater levels of pollution and damage.  

Epping Forest District Council has a vital part in ensuring that Epping Forest remains a place for everyone to love.  In particular the council has:  

• important planning powers that can protect the Forest against inappropriate development  
• a statutory role to tackle pollution and climate change 
• a vital role in promoting the health and wellbeing of residents 
• influence over local transport, road development and traffic management plans. 

That is why we are, once again, asking candidates in the local election to make specific commitments in relation to protecting the Forest for all of us now, and for the enjoyment of generations to come. 

If you are a candidate

We’d like to ask you to make four simple promises, and to work with us to deliver: 

1. To put my love for the Forest at the heart of my work as a local Councillor. I will ensure that I protect the Forest from harm in all my decision-making
2. To work to reduce levels of pollution in and around the Forest to protect our health and wellbeing, and the biodiversity of the Forest, and ensure all my input and decision-making takes pollution levels into account
3. To promote greater access to the Forest for all residents in my local area through a range of accessible, safe and sustainable transport modes – walking, cycling and public transport
4. To take relevant action to tackle climate change, and promote the vital role of the Forest in absorbing CO2, protecting against flooding and reducing temperatures

To sign up your pledge love of Epping Forest, please

• Download a print-ready manifesto here, and sign to promise to think about the Forest in your desicion making
• Please return to the signed pledge to: Epping Forest Heritage Trust, Warren Lodge, Loughton, Essex, IG10 4RN. or policy@efht.org.uk

If you are an EFDC resident, here’s how you can help

1. Share your stories

Tell us why you love Epping Forest, send us stories, pictures, and videos, to policy@efht.org.uk, or tag us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter using #LoveEppingForest

Together, let’s collect as many stories as possible about why we all love Epping Forest. We will share this with local election candidates so that they can see how vital the Forest and its continued care and protection are to their residents. You can view some of the stories here.

2. Show your love

Put #LoveEppingForest posters in your windows. Spread the word about #LoveEppingForest campaign. Talk to your friends, families, and communities. Let’s spread the love of the Forest, so that candidates can see how vital the Forest and its continued protection is for their residents.

3. Volunteer with us

Are you a resident of EFDC? We are looking for volunteers to help raise awareness and amplify the voice of the Forest during the election campaign. If you are keen to help with research related to the campaign, spread the word about the campaign, help with stalls, speaking to councillors or distribute campaign materials, please click here to register.

4. Ask your local candidates to sign up to #LoveEppingForest promises

Download a print-ready manifesto here, and ask your local candidates to sign up to these promises to love Epping Forest in their decision-making.