Proposed Development on the Sites of ‘Wain’ and ‘Green Hedges’, Coppice Row
On 6th February 2020, the Planning Committee met, in a public forum, to consider an application relating to the re-development of a site on Coppice Row which is located in a very prominent and central position within the Village, opposite the historic and iconic Avenue of Trees and overlooking the Village Green. Currently, the site features two bungalows known as ‘Wain’ and ‘Green Hedges’ and directly to the rear of the site resides a Grade II Listed Building of local and historical interest, known as ‘Baldocks’. The proposal envisages a development of 9 apartments (one of which would be a four-bedroom penthouse suite), together with parking for 6 vehicles. The illustration below (taken from the submitted plans) gives an impression of how the development would be viewed in the streetscene:
The development site is an ‘Allocated Site’ in Theydon Bois under the new Epping Forest Local Plan (2011-2033) and, as such, is projected to yield a number of new dwellings to contribute to the housing need within the District of Epping Forest. Accordingly, it is anticipated that this site will under-go redevelopment and that, to provide an additional number of dwellings, it is likely that this will comprise accommodation in the form of apartments.
However, the Parish Council recognises the prominence of this important site within the Village and understands the potential impact of an unsympathetic or unbefitting development. Therefore, in viewing the current iteration of the proposed development, the Planning Committee submitted a letter of Strong Objection to Epping Forest District Council and the full version of this document can be read here – [Wain & Green Hedges Objection Letter]
This Strong Objection contains the following main points:
- comments around the detrimental impact on the streetscene and on the Grade II Listed neighbouring property behind;
- a comparison to the development of Pavilion Court on the opposite corner of Orchard Drive and the feeling that this new proposal should be similar (or even subservient) to the reduced proportions of Pavilion Court; and
- the argument that the parking provision would be wholly inadequate to satisfy the requirements of the adopted Essex Parking Standards, 2009.
Should members of the public wish to submit comments on this application, they can do so by contacting the Planning Department at Epping Forest District Council, following the guidance contained via the webpage below and using the unique Application Number of EPF/3001/19:
https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/planning-and-building/comment-on-a-planning-application/