NEWSFLASH - Latest News - Land East of Epping December, 2025
- Dec 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Land East of Epping – latest news, December 2025
Reminder - this is a proposed development on current Green Belt, good farmland; lying between Bower Hill, the Orchards and Stewards Green Road; generally known as Stewards Green Fields. It was not scheduled for development in the Local Plan. Shown outlined in red :
1.Not long ago, the developers Pigeon applied to Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) for an exemption from carrying out a full-scale Environmental Assessment when making a Planning Application – presumably in the New Year.
The application was resisted by several groups and individuals including the Epping Society and Stewards Green Fields Action Group (SGFAG). The vibrant and precious natural environment, flora & fauna were emphasized. A long list of wildlife has been observed on that area. Much was also made of the continued pattern of flooding on those fields. We were also concerned about cumulative impacts, when this site is so close to the South Epping project.
Nevertheless EFDC gave consent to the exemption; with the report stating “The development is substantial in scale but does not involve the use of significant natural resources, production of significant waste, or pollution. There is no indication of unusually complex or hazardous environmental effects.” The full report can be downloaded here -
2.Pigeon developments held a Monday market stall on 8th December, to seek local opinions. Those we observed were almost exclusively negative. (Note to Jonas Carter/Pigeon staff – that wearing badges would have helped). This stall was also noticeable to have the presence of 2 uniformed members of Essex Police on foot - otherwise quite a rare sight on the High Street. Staff promised that the findings of the consultation will be made public – we look forward to seeing that!
3.Nearly simultaneously a contractor with heavy machinery has been employed to clear vegetation from part of the fields involved. While a landowner has a right to tidy up, the extent and timing of this operation could easily be considered as ominous. The Stewards Green Fields Action Group has sent a careful letter to EFDC to question the premise of such work, given that any Planning Application will need to refer to the “existing” state of the site. We attach some of their photos.
We would urge all concerned about this development to :
View the development proposed – see www.eppingeast.co.uk
This includes an online survey (which does not necessarily ask the questions we feel many residents would like to respond to).
Get involved with SGFAG, on Facebook
Join us via our website www.eppingsociety.org to increase our impact as we campaign
Make your local EFDC Councillors aware of your views; find them on the Council site
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