Old Pastures (EPF/2477/25): Please object now to protect Epping’s Green Belt
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
A planning application has been submitted for up to 80 homes on land known as “Old Pastures”, south of Stonards Hill Recreation Ground, Epping. This site sits in the Metropolitan Green Belt and has long been part of Epping’s open setting and community life.
If you care about protecting Epping’s Green Belt, local character, and already-stretched roads and services, please submit an objection. Individual objections matter: they show the strength of local concern and ensure key planning issues are formally recorded.
Planning reference (use this)
EPF/2477/25
Where to send your objection
Email your comments to: appcomment@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Make sure you include the reference: EPF/2477/25
Key reasons to object
1) Inappropriate development in the Metropolitan Green Belt
The Old Pastures site lies entirely within the Metropolitan Green Belt and is not allocated for housing in the adopted Epping Forest District Council Local Plan (2023).
Under National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) paragraph 153, this type of proposal is “inappropriate development” and is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt’s openness and permanence. The application must demonstrate “very special circumstances” to justify building here—your objection should state clearly that these have not been proven.
2) Harm to landscape character and visual amenity
An estate of up to 80 homes would permanently change this historic agricultural parcel from open countryside into an urban form, conflicting with Local Plan Policies DM3 and DM9.
This would also damage the setting of Stonards Hill Recreation Ground and weaken the wider green corridor that helps define the area’s character.
3) Loss of long-standing public amenity and pedestrian access
Residents have used this land for recreation for over 60 years, and there are applications for Public Rights of Way (PROW) covering this parcel. Approving development now risks permanently removing a valued community asset and disrupting a wildlife corridor.
4) Traffic congestion and highway safety
Stonards Hill already experiences congestion and pressure from school traffic, parking, and visitors to the recreation ground and skatepark. Up to 80 homes would add significant vehicle movements to a network that many residents already experience as constrained—especially when combined with other development pressures in South Epping.
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Copy-and-edit objection letter template (send by email)
Subject line: Objection – EPF/2477/25 – Old Pastures, Stonards Hill, Epping
Your Name: [Insert Name]
Your Address: [Insert Address]
Date: [Insert Date]
To:
Planning Department
Epping Forest District Council
Civic Offices, High Street
Epping, CM16 4BZ
Sent via email to: appcomment@eppingforestdc.gov.uk** using the planning reference EPF/2477/25.
RE: Formal Objection to Planning Application [EPF/2477/25]
Site: Land known as “Old Pastures”, South of Stonards Hill Recreation Ground, Epping
Proposal: Residential development for up to 80 dwellings and associated infrastructure.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally register my strong objection to the above planning application at Old Pastures. This development conflicts directly with several core policies in the **Epping Forest District Council Local Plan (2023) and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
My objections are based on the following material planning considerations:
1. *Inappropriate Development in the Metropolitan Green Belt
The Old Pastures site lies entirely within the designated Metropolitan Green Belt and is not allocated for housing in the adopted EFDC Local Plan. Under NPPF paragraph 153, the proposal represents inappropriate development, which is by definition harmful to the openness and permanence of the Green Belt. The applicant has failed to demonstrate the “very special circumstances” required to justify this harm.
2. Destruction of Landscape Character & Visual Amenity
Contrary to Policies DM3 and DM9, the insertion of an urban housing estate will permanently strip this historic agricultural parcel of its rural, open character. Developing this field will degrade the natural backdrop of the Stonards Hill Recreation Ground and the surrounding green corridor.
3. Loss of Historic Public Amenity and Pedestrian Access
This parcel has a well-documented history of continuous public recreational use by Epping residents for over 60 years. Formal applications for Public Rights of Way (PROW) have been submitted for this exact parcel to protect it from development. Approving this build would permanently eliminate a treasured community asset and break a vital wildlife corridor.
4. Traffic Congestion and Highway Safety
Adding up to 80 homes will introduce substantial vehicular movements onto Stonards Hill. This road already suffers from congestion due to local school traffic, residential parking, and visitors accessing the recreation ground and skatepark. The local road network lacks the capacity to safely handle the cumulative traffic from this site and other major allocations in South Epping.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that the planning committee upholds local policy and refuses this application. Please keep me informed of any updates, committee meeting dates, or final decisions regarding this application.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Signature (if sending as an attachment)]
[Your Printed Name]
A full downloadable version is available here.
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