Background
This is in relation to the planning application EPF/0354/26. The proposal involves the outline planning application with all matters reserved except for primary vehicular access, for residential development of up to 150 dwellings, together with associated infrastructure and landscaping.
This development falls outside of the EFDC Local Plan and risk increased footfall and pollution in the Forest. You can find out more about our on-going involvement in relation to this development.
Site Parameter Plan Land Use, Source: EFDC Planning Applications Public Register
March 2026
We submitted our objections to the planning application EPF/0354/26. The objections are centred on the proposals’ harm to the Green Belt’s openness, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Concerningly, the NPPF’s proposed redraft will greenlight all housing development on the Green Belt near “well-connected” stations, which risks enabling encroachment of Forest Green Belt around stations like Theydon Bois. We also raised these concerns in our response to the consultation on the NPPF draft earlier in March 2026. View our full response to this planning application here.
October 2025
In October 2025, we responded to the Request for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Opinion for application EPF2137/25, Land Adjacent to Theydon Bois Station, Abridge Road.The development is for land which isn’t marked for development by a Local Plan, in this case, Epping Forest District Council’s (EFDC). EIA screening processes are conducted by the local planning authority to determine whether these developments meet the criteria for EIA themselves, where developers must assess potential environmental impacts make proposals to avoid/mitigate these.
We objected to the applicant’s argument that an EIA isn’t necessary and stressed that EFDC needs to consider the potential cumulative impact on the Forest of these potential developments in its decisions. You can view our responses here.