Local Press

2023

02/03/2023

Everything Epping Forest: DISTRICT: Protest planned in last-ditch bid to block Local Plan

2016

04/10/2016

Call for Epping Forest groups to unite after widespread anger at Local Plan

01/10/2016

Residents slam ‘mad’ proposals to build on Epping Forest Tube car parks

27/09/2016

Green belt to shrink in draft plan for 11,400 Epping Forest homes

10/08/2016

Constable Homes renews plans to demolish Sixteen String Jack in Theydon Bois and build housing

23/03/2016

Planning inspector backs Epping Forest District Council’s decision against Sixteen String Jack flats

14/01/2016

2015

26/11/2015

The Sixteen String Jack Refusal is covered on Page 9 of the print edition of the Epping Forest Guardian under the title “Plans for 11 Flats Dumped”

The quote that Chairman John Warren gave on behalf of TBAG is included in the article.

24/11/2015

Epping Forest District Council refuses developers permission for Sixteen String Jack pub in Theydon Bois

16/11/2015
07/08/2015

TfL silent over blow to Theydon Bois commuter car park plans

06/08/2015

Blow to TfL in row over commuter car park

14/05/2015

Controversial Tube Car Park plan refused

13/05/2015

Theydon Bois car park plans unsafe and undemocratic without full consultation, claim opponents

12/05/2015

Controversial station car park plan to be considered

18/03/2015

A report on the community opposition to the redevelopment of 47A Theydon Park Road into flats: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11863593.Town_hall_planners_reject_community_opposition_to_flats/

15/01/2015

An article appeared on page 2 of the Epping Forest Guardian relating to the proposed TfL car park.  TBAG have not reproduced the article here, since it is an exact reproduction of that which appeared on-line on Thursday, 8 January 2015 and can be read at http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/11708261.Station_car_park__dangerous_precedent_/ .  A more recent article in the on-line issue of the Epping Guardian can be read at the link given below dated 13/01/2015.

For correct and up to date information, please follow TBAG’s website!

13/01/2015

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/11720357.Opposition_builds_to_car_park/

Some facts and observations to accompany this article:

  • According to our legal advice, TfL DO need to submit a standard application for planning permission, like any other landowner.
  • The TfL design as submitted would not support 80 spaces as designed as it does not fulfil Essex County Council minimum parking space requirements.
  • No investigation has been made into highway safety in connection with this proposal and ECC refuse to acknowledge that there is anything to be concerned about.  TBAG maintain the junction of Station Hill (30mph) and Abridge Road (60mph) will likely become dangerous, especially when turning right out of Station Hill, in the direction of the village.
  • The existing car park may be full for a certain number of hours each day (not all day), but so are the trains which TfL have said are already “running at capacity”.
  • TfL, in 1994 closed three stations at the end of the Central Line east because it was declared ‘loss making’.  If these stations were re-opened, train commuters from the areas served by these stations would not need to commute by car to meet the railway, and car parks could be built on non-Green Belt land.  And TfL would get more revenue.
  • A previous application for a commuter car park on neighbouring land to the TfL site was REFUSED.
  • It would create a dangerous precedent for further Green Belt development east of the railway which would result in the sprawl of Theydon Bois – without any mention of increase in supporting infrastructure.
  • Many free parking spaces in Station Hill will be lost, when this designated ‘Historic Lane’ is made suitable for two-way traffic by the predicted introduction of yellow bands and signage necessary in order to achieve this traffic flow.  This amounts to a loss of commuter and community amenity and will force the free parking commuters to move somewhere else, not necessarily into the pay car park.
08/01/2015

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/11708261.Station_car_park__dangerous_precedent_/
NB: The initial article got the location of the planning meeting wrong – it’s not in the Village Hall on Coppice Row but the Community Centre on Loughton Lane. It is at 8pm on Thursday 8 Jan 2015.


2013

22/01/2013
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/10177250.Villagers_urge_resistance_to_eco_house_plans/


2012

14/09/2012
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/9928540.THEYDON_BOIS__Calls_made_for_illegal_Olympic_campsite_to_be_removed/

22/05/2012
Concern as Olympic campsite organisers apply for drinks licence

19/02/2012
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/9532527.THEYDON_BOIS__Developer_withdraws_green_belt_car_park_plans/


2011

02/11/2011
http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Cannabis-factory-man-gets-years/story-13033076-detail/story.html

14/09/2011
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/9248665.EPPING_FOREST__Planned_development_law_change_slammed/

02/09/2011
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/your_local_areas/9230301.EPPING_FOREST__Businessmen_slam_lack_of_campsite_support/

11/08/2011
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/your_local_areas/9190894.THEYDON_BOIS__Olympic_campsite_set_up/

02/07/11
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/9118048.THEYDON_BOIS__Developer_bids_to_overturn_car_park_decision/

01/07/11
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/your_local_areas/9117518.NORTH_WEALD__Residents_victorious_in_battle_against_waste_dump/

26/02/2011 Application EPF/2246/10 for Foster Care facilities by Mr James Harris
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/8878222.THEYDON_BOIS__Neighbours_to_discuss_fostering_centre_plan/


2010

09/12/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/8729892.ABRIDGE__Gravel_pit_could_be_built_near_one_of_England_s_most_dangerous_roads/

03/11/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/your_local_areas/8491494.THEYDON_BOIS__More_time_to_comment_on_car_park_plans_after_massive_public_response/

31/10/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/your_local_areas/8485853.THEYDON_BOIS__Villagers_meet_over_commuter_car_park/

13/07/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/8269715.EPPING_FOREST__Gypsy_and_traveller_requirements_lifted/

07/07/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/8258603.THEYDON_BOIS__Green_Belt_land_sales_condemned/
http://www.dunmowbroadcast.co.uk/home/essex_gypsy_battle_set_to_continue_1_521879

25/05/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/8184308.THEYDON_BOIS__Rural_village_has__low_sensitivity_to_change__says_council_s_housing_document/

04/05/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/your_local_areas/8134570.THEYDON_BOIS__Council_hustings_to_discuss_gypsy_site_issue/

25/01/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/4870202.NORTH_WEALD__District_council_set_to_object_to_golf_course_plans/

11/01/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/4845417.NORTH_WEALD__Golf_course_proposals_unanimously_opposed/#commentsList

05/01/10
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/4834887.EPPING_FOREST__Council_to_ask_for_removal_of_gypsy_consultation_obligations/


2009

19/12/09
http://www.everythingeppingforest.co.uk/news.htm

Action group opposes golf plans

19th December 2009

AN action group which opposed plans for a golf course in Theydon Bois is objecting to two more courses in North Weald which would take the number of courses in the village to five. Theydon Bois Action Group has written to Essex County Council claiming that the plans for Blakes Golf Club – which wants to develop a second 18-hole course and a nine-hole course – are unsustainable.

The development would involve the importation of some 65,000 cubic metres of ‘inert waste’. Theydon Bois Action Group secretary Jacqueline Dodman, in her letter to the county council, writes: “There are an excessive number of golf courses in the locality that are struggling financially, and another course would not be appropriate. This is yet another cynical application to make a great deal of money by importing demolition waste and avoiding landfill tax.” The action group states that the developers behind Parsonage Golf at Blunts Farm in Theydon Bois withdrew their appeal against enforcement because they felt it was no longer financially viable to construct a golf course.

Mrs Dodman’s letter states: “A second 18-hole golf course adjacent to Blakes cannot be sustainable or viable. A second course in the locality would cause financial problems for the three other golf courses in North Weald and the others in the district.” The action group adds that Epping Forest District Council must “make a stand” and ensure that the district “is not targeted by unscrupulous developers out to make a fast buck at the expense of the local environment and the health and safety of local residents”. Importation of material has been continuing at North Weald Golf Club in Rayley Lane while residents endured months of lorry movements during the construction of the existing Blakes course.

The letter from Theydon Bois Action Group will be discussed by North Weald Parish Council when they discuss the Blakes site plans at a meeting on Monday

18/12/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/4805864.EPPING_FOREST__Gypsy_and_traveller_consultation_was_useless_claim_residents/

10/11/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/archive/2009/11/10/Epping+Forest+News+%28eppingforest_news%29/4730549.THEYDON_BOIS__Drugs_factory_location_revealed/

09/11/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/archive/2009/11/09/Epping+Forest+News+%28eppingforest_news%29/4727489.EPPING_FOREST__Two_to_appear_in_court_in_connection__with_cannabis_factory/

08/11/09
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1223378/Gypsy-claimed-squatters-rights-land-tries-sell-BACK-council-450-000.html

08/11/09 Drugs factory
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8349321.stm
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/archive/2009/11/08/Epping+Forest+News+%28eppingforest_news%29/4727078.THEYDON_BOIS__More_arrested_over_drugs_factory/

07/11/09 Drugs factory
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8348169.stm
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/archive/2009/11/07/Epping+Forest+News+%28eppingforest_news%29/4726638.THEYDON_BOIS__Huge_drugs_factory_busted_by_police/
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23765990-pound-1m-worth-of-cannabis-plants-seized.do
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091107/tuk-1m-worth-of-cannabis-plants-seized-6323e80.html

Epping Life November 2009
Click here to download this file

22/09/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/4641483.THEYDON_BOIS__Council_warning_over_get_rich_quick_scheme/

10/09/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/4592528.EPPING_FOREST__Council_reveals_suitable_gypsy_sites/

07/09/09

Dear Editor

St Albans District Council have issued Legal proceedings at the High Court on 27th August, against the Secretary of State, in a bid to quash the increase in the number of Gypsy and Traveller pitches it needs to provide on the grounds it is disproportionately high.

The district council is challenging figures contained in the East of England Regional Assembly’s policy on Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the East of England – a document that forms part of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England. The council have said that they are not convinced there has been a robust assessment of what the need actually is.

St Albans already gives up 52 pitches of land to serve the community and the council says this figure is far more than other areas provide within Hertfordshire. The Government is asking the council to find space in the district for another 28 pitches between 2006 and 2011, and another estimated 24 between 2011 and 2021 – a total of 104.

The pitch provision for Epping Forest District has been reduced from 49 to 34 pitches, however various action and resident groups in the district believe this figure is still too high. The district will have the second highest number of authorised pitches, highest number of pitches per hectare of unconstrained land, highest number of pitches per population, highest number of pitches to planned new dwelling and the second highest concentration in relation to the distribution of construction and agriculture employment in Essex.

Epping Forest District currently gives up 94 authorized pitches. The Government is asking EFDC to find space in our district for another 34 pitches between 2006 and 2011, ,and another estimated 40 pitches between 2011 and 2021 – a total of 168.

St Albans District council have said “The proposed increase would, given the environmental constraints that the district faces, threaten our Green Belt and result in an extra burden being placed on our already overstretched schools and other services.”

The Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is ‘advising councils not to rush ahead with implementing the controversial elements of Regional Spatial Strategies, expending time and taxpayers? money that may be wasted. Ultimately, councillors should seek to serve the best interests of their residents while operating within the law, rather than jump to the latest arbitrary demands from Whitehall or the Regional Government Offices. I would encourage councils to say ?no? when the Government attempts to force your council to act at a speed which is not a binding legal necessity.’

Is it time for EFDC to say ‘no’ ?

Theydon Bois Action Group

01/09/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/4575011.THEYDON_BOIS__Threat_of_3_500_houses_on_green_belt_land/

18/08/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/4552208.THEYDON_BOIS__Action_group_raise_funds_to_fight_gypsy_plans/

30/07/09
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/news/2009/Gypsy_and_Traveller_Reduction.asp

21/07/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/4504982.EPPING_FOREST__Hopes_dashed_over_new_gypsy_sites/

16/07/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/4484359.THEYDON_BOIS__Four_year_campaign_against_landfill_site_is_a_success/

02/07/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/4472161.DISTRICT__Council_fails_to_respond_to_gypsy_consultation/

14/05/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/4367521.EPPING_FOREST__Council_can_t_meet_gipsy_site_deadline/

09/04/09
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/news/2009/gypsy_and_traveller_pitch_provision_reduced.asp

September 2008 issue of CPRE Fieldwork page 10.
Click here to download this file

13/01/09
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/4044181.THEYDON_BOIS__Commuter_car_park_could_be_built/


2008

19/12/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/3990056.EPPING__Well_used_sites_could_be_given_to_developers/

20/11/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3863586.EPPING_FOREST___Seizing_land_for_gypsies__last_resort_/

01/11/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3810899.Three_weeks_left_for_gypsy_site_consultation/

31/10/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3809436.Traveller_site_consultation__too_expensive__to_send_to_homes/

30/10/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3804307.Keep_up_with_full_traveller_site_plans/

23/10/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3785816.EPPING_FOREST__MP_Laing_slams_government_over_traveller_plans/

20/10/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3774028.St_Albans_Gypsy_sites_debate/

12/09/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3669050.Suspicious_of_identical_inaccuracies_about_TBAG/

12/09/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3669040.Youth_club_campaign_would_be_more_worthy/

10/09/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3662121.Stop_making_unfounded_claims_against_TBAG/

02/09/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3640243.Councils_told__find_more_gypsy_places/

27/08/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3626072.Action_group_or_just_vigilantes_/

27/08/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3626040.Our_MP_agrees_with_us__enough_is_enough/

22/08/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3615119.THEYDON_BOIS__Motocross_meeting_cancelled/

21/08/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3610815.NORTH_WEALD__Go_ahead_for_further_phase_of_golf_course_work/

18/08/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3603434.THEYDON_BOIS__Motocross_course_set_to_host_first_meeting/

01/08/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3563394.Use_agricultural_land_to_grow_food_not_drive_golf_balls/

13/08/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3592108.Is_Blunts_Farm_out_to_ruin_green_belt_/

25/07/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3548219.THEYDON_BOIS__Will_Green_Belt_worries_scupper_car_park_plan_/

25/06/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/2363658.Action_group_should_back_Government_s_recycling_scheme/

30/04/08
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/2236795.Action_group_guilty_of_making_false_claims_about_my_golf_club/


2007

30/11/07
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/1871898.Why_allow_developers_to_put_waste_on_Gren_Belt/

17/09/07
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/1693898.Blunts_Farm__dumping__is_a_fiasco/

14/06/07
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/1473166.Hammers_eye_up_Blunts_Farm_site/


2006

13/11/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/1018303.New_hurdle_for_golf_opponents/

07/08/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/867622.Hole_lot_of_trouble/

28/07/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/852784.Keeping_a_Blunt_view/

27/06/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/808135.EA__Landfill_cheats_must_be_punished/

19/05/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/765687._Dilemma__over_golf_case/

02/04/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/718821.Residents_battle_to_save_village/

27/03/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/713281.Villagers_rally_against_developers/

16/03/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/706931.Developers_plan_for_inquiry/

04/02/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/682747.Investigating_the_Blunt_s_Farm__fiasco_/

26/01/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/678040.Last_stand_for_Blunts_Farm/

20/01/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/677288.Dumping_is_stopped/

14/01/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/673052.Blunt_speaking/

03/01/06
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/668000.Blot_on_the_landscape/


2005

20/11/05
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/653109.A_break_in_the_traffic/