The Epping Forest District Council Planning Committee B is scheduled to meet to discuss several planning applications, including a large residential development, and smaller applications for housing and storage. The committee will also confirm the minutes of their previous meeting.

Here are the key items on the agenda:

Residential Development at Happy Grow Garden Centre and Elm Croft

The committee will be considering a report regarding an outline planning application for the demolition of existing buildings at Happy Grow Garden Centre and Elm Croft, High Road, Thornwood, Essex, CM16 6LX. The application, submitted by Happy Grow Garden Centre, seeks permission for a residential development of up to 65 new homes, including on-site affordable housing. The plans also include alterations to the existing access, car parking, open space, landscaping, and attenuation ponds.

This application was previously deferred by Planning Committee A on 17 September 2025, to seek clarification on the width of the proposed access road from the ECC ¹ Highways Authority. The report pack states that the ECC Highways Authority has since confirmed that the access arrangements are accurate and acceptable.

The report pack notes that the site is partly within the Green Belt and partly within an area designated for residential development in the Local Plan as THOR.R1 – Land at Tudor House. The report recommends that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement to secure planning obligations, including:

• 40% of the dwellings as affordable housing (26 units)
• Financial contributions towards education, NHS services, public transport, and libraries
• Provision of a 2m wide footway along the frontage and into the site, connecting to the Tudor House Development
• A raised kerb, flag and shelter with timetable frame for existing bus stops
• SAC ² mitigation measures
• An Employment and Skills Plan
• Management and stewardship of public open spaces
• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) measures

The report pack details several objections to the proposal, including concerns about overdevelopment, increased traffic, loss of green space, and harm to the character of the area. Epping Forest Heritage Trust also raised concerns about the impacts on Epping Forest SAC and Lower Forest SSSI ³ from increased recreational use and traffic.

The report pack states that North Weald Bassett Parish Council has no objection to the application but expects that Epping Forest District Council and ECC will give full consideration to reviewing the speed limit along the B1393 due to the cumulative impact of development in the area.

Residential Development at Bansons Yard, Ongar

The committee will also consider a report for the demolition of an existing garage at Unit 4 Bansons Yard, adjacent to High Street, Ongar, CM5 9AA, and the construction of three terraced houses. The application, submitted by Mr John Grey, includes front parking spaces, rear private amenity space with cycle storage, and a bin store.

The report pack notes that this application is a resubmission of a previously approved application (EPF/0537/24), with amendments to the site layout and parking spaces. The site is partially within the Green Belt and the Ongar Conservation Area.

Ongar Town Council has objected to the proposal, stating that it does not meet minimum parking standards. Several residents have also raised concerns about insufficient parking, displacement of parking for existing employment uses, and overlooking of neighbouring properties.

The report pack states that the Epping Forest District Council Conservation Officer supports the scheme, as it will preserve the significance of the Chipping Ongar Conservation Area. ECC Highways has also raised no objection to the proposal.

Temporary Storage at The Poplars, Epping Road, North Weald Bassett

The committee will consider a report for the retention of a temporary shipping container at The Poplars, Epping Road, North Weald Bassett, Epping, CM16 6LA. The application, submitted by Ms Lisa Teden, seeks permission for the container to be used for storage for a period of three years, after which it will be removed.

The report pack states that the shipping container is currently used for storage purposes in relation to the applicant's business, TDK Mechanical Services (UK) Ltd.

North Weald Bassett Parish Council has objected to the proposal, citing the cumulative impact of multiple storage containers on the site and the potential for noise nuisance. Residents have also raised concerns about the number of storage containers on site, industrial use, increased noise and traffic, and harm to the Green Belt.

Extension and Refurbishment at Ringinglow, High Road, Epping

The committee will also consider a report for the demolition of an existing conservatory and part demolition of the rear elevation at Ringinglow, High Road, Epping, CM16 4DQ. The application, submitted by Holly Shepherd, seeks permission to create a two-storey rear extension and 1.5 storey side extension, extend the south-east facing roof to create a front entrance porch, and refurbish the existing house with associated landscape works.

The report pack notes that this application is identical in scale and design to a previously refused application (EPF/0342/24). A similar scheme, including the demolition of existing outbuildings and replacement planting, was previously approved (EPF/0906/24).

The site is located within the Bell Common Conservation Area and the Metropolitan Green Belt. The Epping Forest District Council Conservation Officer has objected to the proposal due to the harm it would cause to the significance of the conservation area.