National and government policies

Epping Forest is adjacent to four local boroughs: Epping Forest District Council in Essex, and Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Newham in London. As the brief on our planning work, our efforts are currently focused on Epping Forest District and Waltham Forest although developments in other local authorities also affect the Forest.

We maintain a watching brief on the regional and national policies that may affect the protection of nature spaces such as Epping Forest. We submit our responses, and also collaborate with partner organisations to advocate for the protection of the green belt and the Forest.

On this page you will find:

• Our brief about these policies and plans and how they may affect the protection of nature spaces and Epping Forest
• Our responses and actions to these policies and frameworks

What can you do to help?

Our members, and the public more generally, are the Trust’s “eyes and ears”.  Members know their local patch and visit the Forest regularly and may pick up developments we have not identified. In particular, where a development has been approved within, or next to, Forest land, members living locally can play a vital role in keeping an eye on the construction to ensure that damage is not being done to the surrounding land.

The Trust will need to be pragmatic about how far it can influence proposals, and about which proposals it objects to, but we are clear that our primary role is to protect and conserve the Forest and we will act if we believe a proposal is detrimental to its future.

If you have any views on planning generally, on the proposed developments above or are able to assist, please contact us at  policy@efht.org.uk

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