Epping Society: planning applications and building design

The Epping Society looks at local applications made to Epping Forest District Council (EFDC). We consider a range of factors, starting with size/scale/mass — a proposal may be too big for the site. There can be issues of overlooking and overshadowing; we are very often supporting objections from neighbours. Design is contentious and can be subjective – are there local Guidelines? Should it be vernacular (ie echo local designs)? Thus the new multistorey car park “like an East coast sail loft” does not sit well. Street scene can be important – is there an estate style (eg Theydon Grove or The Orchards); or a local character, where too great a difference can jar? Similar can apply to building materials. However sometimes a diversity provokes interest, eg with larger or civic projects; but this can be controversial too, such as the EFDC offices. Then there are questions of access, ease of use, amenity space, community fit, environmental issues. We also try to check that no planning standards are being impinged on, such as the 45-degree rule, or the front building line. Where there are “protected” structures e.g. Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas – new builds should complement the existing; either following (or in sometimes contrasting with) the existing. EFDC has a long-standing Conservation Planning Officer, who looks at these.

Lastly there is a range of locally special/unusual buildings. Examples would be our very few Art Deco houses – have a walk around, see if you can spot them! Or the remnants of an industrial past, like a joist for a winch sticking out. These features shout about the heritage of the town and should be incorporated where possible.

Anyone interested in joining the Epping Society in this task, please contact us.

A recent case of interest has been 104 High Street. Basically a Victorian cottage; but likely in the 1960s a very quirky front window was inserted, almost certainly by the then shopkeeper, Geoffrey Drayton, an upmarket high-design outlet. The bold white pop-out, redolent of Mary Quant, Flower-Power, the Beatles, etc is so unusual it has become iconic. In a redevelopment, the architect was persuaded to repair the frames and reinstate the design which Epping Society successfully put forward for an Epping Town Council Design Award.

Epping Town Council are responsible for the following: Bury Lane Cemetery, Monday Market, six recreation grounds including Stonards Hill and Lower Swaines, two allotment sites at Lower Bury Lane and Meadow Road, Epping Hall and Jack Silley Pavilion, Talk About Epping, Bakers Lane toilets, the Town Show and the Christmas Market. Tel: 01992 579444. E-mail: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Essex County Council are responsible for Highways (including roads, pavements and streetlights), Blue Badges, Bus Passes, Schools, Social Care amongst many other services. You can report Highways issues on their website at www.essex.gov.uk Tel: 0345 603 7630.

Epping Forest District Council are responsible for many services including Rubbish and Recycling, Council Tax, Housing, Elections and Benefits. Tel: 01992 564000. Website: www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk Things such as missed rubbish collections and flytipping can be reported on their website.

Epping Hall regular community activities

Mondays – Tai Chi, Perform Children’s drama, Rock Choir

Tuesdays – Community Dance

Wednesday – Postnatal pilates, Women’s Institute (once per month), Children’s karate, Adult’s karate

Thursday – Art Class, Singing Bowls (around once per month)

Friday – Yoga Hatha, Children’s ballet, Adult’s ballet, Epping at the Movies (approx 10 screenings per year)

Saturday – Epping at the Movies (around 10 screenings per year) Sunday – Life Church

Jack Silley Pavilion regular community activities

Mondays – Baby Ballet, Art Class, Illusions

Children’s Dance

Tuesdays – Basking Babies, Illusions Children’s Dance, Home Educator’s Meeting (once per month)

Wednesday – Phonic Stars, Chair yoga

Thursdays – Action for Family Carers, Sing and Sign

Fridays – U3A Art class, Illusions Children’s Dance

Saturdays – Epping Forest School of Dancing

Children www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Both halls can be booked for private parties, wedding receptions, meetings and events.