TBAAG have been campaigning since March 2006 for Blunts Farm Estates Limited to make the Parsonage Golf site safe. We brought the dangerous situation to the notice of Theydon Parents, the local police, Mrs Bonds and Eleanor Laing, who subsequently contacted EFDC and the Health and Safety Executive.

We are sure you have seen the photographs in the local newspapers of the deep water filled pits. 

In January it was brought to our attention by Theydon Parents, that video footage of kids doing BMX style tricks into the water had been posted on YouTube.

We contacted the Health and Safety Executive again but unfortunately their reply offered no comfort for local parents. They have said that 'The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) applies when there is a work activity. As there is now no work activity, has not been for a significant period of time nor is likely to be in the immediate future, it is not possible to apply the provisions of HSWA and to enforce them. As HSWA can not be applied, there is no further action which can be taken by HSE with regards to this matter.'

The Ongar and North Weald Gazette carried a front page article last week which included images of the bikers doing tricks and swimming in the pits, 'Dicing with their lives, YouTube footage reveals teenagers risking all in danger pits.' 

This dangerous situation needs to be revisited, it is more than a year since we highlighted the issue, the weather has been unusually warm and the summer holidays are around the corner.

However as well as the water filled pits, it has come to our attention that the pavilion at the Old Foresters site has the potential to become a death trap. The brick walls that support the iron work are either eroding or are being damaged intentionally, kicked down. It seems that two yellow steel supports have already fallen to the floor. The steel roof structure could fall and that could be catastrophic. The photographs demonstrate that the pavilion is used by kids from Theydon Bois and Loughton, there are clear tags TB6 and IG10. The pavilion is a nice quiet spot in which to hang out, but as well as the associated problems of youths hanging about, there are the added problems of broken glass, bricks and such that could be used aggressively. There are no signs warning that the building is dangerous, it is totally open and accessible and a 3 minute walk from Theydon Tube Station.

The water filled pits are very deep, the steep clay sides would be slippery and the land has 'slipped' in places. There is metal and hardcore buried deep under the water, which could cause injury on impact. Vermin inhabit the water which is surely infected with their natural pollution!

Parents have to be made aware that both of these sites, owned by the same developer, Blunts Farm Estates Limited are a potential death trap. Very flimsy, damaged, chicken wire type fencing has been constructed along the footpaths, but would not deter anyone. One of the four pits is very close to the public footpath. Straying from the paths however is trespassing and should be discouraged.

The weather has warmed up, summer holidays are on the way. The developer is delaying the new planning application by not completing his Environmental Impact Assessment. While EFDC wait for the EIA it looks like we will be exposed to the risks of our children playing in these pits for a second summer. The planning officer has commented that he is of the opinion that the developer has no intention of spending money to alter the situation on site.

EFDC have said that they have received in excess of 235 letters of objection to the new application mainly from Theydon Bois residents, and 5 in favour. However even though the pits could be filled up with spoil already imported onto the site negating the need for at least 32,000 more HGV movements, EFDC have no power to force the developer to do so. If however the developer chose to take that action EFDC have said they would not stop them.

Our young people must be discouraged from visiting these sites. They are extremely dangerous. This developer has made it very clear that he does not have the best interests of our village or its inhabitants at heart. 

Both of these sites have to be made safe for our young people, walkers and ramblers, as a matter of priority. 

Despite trying to raise our concerns to a number of professional bodies, very little is being done to help the situation. Residents do need to be made aware of the dangers of these two sites.