Epping Society Condemns “Deeply Damaging” Stonards Hill Development Plan
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The Epping Society is voicing its strongest opposition yet to the proposed housing development on the land south of Stonards Hill — a scheme we believe would cause irreversible harm to the character, ecology and wellbeing of our town.
The developer’s glossy consultation boards may speak of “green communities” and “enhanced landscapes”, but residents know the truth: this is the last major open green buffer on the eastern side of Epping, and once it is built over, it is gone forever.
A Landscape Under Threat
The land in question is not a derelict brownfield site, nor an unused corner of the town. It is a living landscape of open fields, mature tree lines, ponds, wildlife corridors and long‑established rural views. It forms a natural breathing space between Epping’s homes and the wider countryside.
Aerial images of the area show clearly what is at stake:
uninterrupted green fields
woodland edges supporting birds, bats and small mammals
ponds and wetland habitats
a rare sense of openness within walking distance of the town centre
To describe this as “spare land” is a profound misrepresentation.
A Development That Does Not Fit Epping
The proposal for 125 homes — half of them labelled “affordable” but with no clarity on tenure, pricing or local allocation — would place intense pressure on already strained infrastructure:
Roads that are already congested
GP surgeries struggling to take new patients
Schools operating at or near capacity
Parking shortages across the town
Sewerage and drainage systems that have not been upgraded to match recent growth
Epping has absorbed significant development in recent years.
This site represents a tipping point.
Greenwashing Does Not Make This Acceptable
The developer’s promotional material is filled with images of orchards, ponds and walking routes. But these features already exist — naturally, freely, and without the need for 125 houses to justify them.
Planting a few saplings does not replace a mature ecosystem. Digging a new pond does not compensate for the loss of established habitats. Calling a housing estate “green” does not make it so.
This is greenwashing, and the people of Epping deserve better.
A Community United in Opposition
Residents across the town — from long‑standing families to new arrivals — have expressed deep concern about the scale and location of this development. The Epping Society stands firmly with them.
We believe:
The site should remain open countryside
Epping’s green edges must be protected, not eroded
Development should focus on brownfield land, not our last remaining fields
The town’s character must not be sacrificed for short‑term gain
This is not nimbyism. It is responsible stewardship of a historic market town and its surrounding landscape.
A Call to Action
The Epping Society urges residents to:
Attend all public consultations
Submit objections to Epping Forest District Council
Share concerns with neighbours, friends and local groups
Stand together to defend the green spaces that define our town
Once this land is built on, it will never return. We owe it to future generations to protect what remains.
The Epping Society will continue to fight this proposal with determination, evidence and the full support of many in our community
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