Planning applications

Application No: EPF/0975/21 Officer: Sukhvinder Dhadwar Applicant Name: Mr Darren Goodey Planning File No: 000200 Location: North Weald Airfield, The Gate House Security Building, Merlin Way, North Weald Bassett Epping CM16 6HR Proposal: Tarmac taxiway for use from Hangar 2 apron.

Application No: EPF/1492/21 Officer: Alastair Prince Applicant Name: Mr & Mrs Thompson Planning File No: 016370 Location: 30 School Green Lane, North Weald Bassett, Epping, CM16 6EJ Proposal: Partially demolish existing rear extension/ erection of a single storey rear extension. Any representations on applications should be made in writing, by Monday, 12th July 2021

Application No: EPF/1518/21 Officer: Kie Farrell Applicant Name: Mr Luke Dale Planning File No: 003609 Location: 7 Higham View, North Weald Bassett Epping CM16 6DD Proposal: Demolition of existing rear extension. New single story, side and rear wrap around Any representations on applications should be made in writing, by Monday, 19th July, 2021 Epping Forest District Council www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk Comment online at www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/iPlan or by post to: The Director of Planning and Economic Development, Epping Forest District Council, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ

DVLA has released new figures showing over 60% of our customers over the age of 70 are choosing to renew their driving licence online.

New figures released on the 22nd June by DVLA show that around 6 out of 10 over 70 year olds who renewed their driving licence last year did so online. The figures also show that in 2016, just 43% of those renewing their driving licence at the age of 70 or older used DVLA’s online service, compared to over 60% in 2020 – the first year over half of people aged 70 or over preferred to do this online. Driving licence holders aged 70 and over have renewed their licences online almost 5 million times in the last 5 years.

There has been a 27% rise in the overall number of licence holders in their 80s completing their renewal online between 2016 to 2020, while the number in their 90s jumped by 41%. Driving licence holders are legally required to renew their licence at 70 and then at most every 3 years after this. It is free to renew a driving licence at 70 or over. More information about renewing your driving licence at age 70 is on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at70

Local NHS Chief urges people to get their vital second vaccination

As the largest ever NHS vaccination programme enters its last lap, Dr Jane Halpin, Chief Executive of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups, has encouraged local residents to come forward for their first jab and remember to get their second dose, which she called “vital and lifesaving”. The plea comes as people aged 40 and over are now able to book in their second vaccinationon from eight weeks after their first dose. With everyone over the age of 18 now able to book in for the lifesaving vaccine, eligible people are being urged to get their first or second jab as soon as possible. Research this week showed how important the second jab is at protecting people against the Delta/Indian variant. Studies have found the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be 96% effective against hospitalisation after two doses, while the Oxford-AztraZenaca is 92% effective. The last push comes as the NHS in England passed the milestone of having delivered 60 million doses across England in just six months. Across Hertfordshire and west Essex, over 1.6 million doses of the vaccine have been given so far. Almost 74% of eligible adults have had their first dose and over 680,000 people have had their second – meaning 54% of the eligible adult population is fully vaccinated. It’s vital that the remaining people complete their course to ensure they get full protection as soon as possible.

Residents invited to share their views on public safety

A new survey to gain insight into public safety launched on Monday 28th June. The online survey, which aims to explore how residents in the county feel about public safety, also asks about attitudes towards women in society. The survey, which has been developed by ECC’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) alongside key partners, aims to inform decision and encourage change in Essex. Led by Essex County Council (ECC) Deputy Leader Cllr Louise McKinlay, the SAG was launched following the murder of Sarah Everard earlier this year and aims to encourage meaningful engagement with residents, spark a countywide conversation about the issues and fears faced, and most importantly, bring about positive change. Essex is a safe county in which to live, work and visit, however the County Council is keen to not only ensure the county remains safe, but that residents feel safe too. To do this, the views of Essex residents are needed. The online survey will be initially sent to over 1000 residents who are part of ECC’s Residents Panel. The panel gives anyone living in Essex the opportunity to tell ECC about the services and issues that matter most to them. The survey will run for four weeks and key findings will be released in due course. Residents not on the panel will also be able to share their views and answer questions from the survey at www.facebook.com/ essexcountycouncill throughout July.

Epping Playground Association competition winners

Prizes have been awarded to children who won A drawing competition arranged by Epping Playground Association. More than 100 children submitted drawings of their dream playground with three entries from each category - KS1, KS2, KS3/ KS4 and additional needs - selected as the winners. Epping Town Mayor councillor Michael Wright presented the prizes at the Lower Swaines recreation ground in Epping on Friday. The children were from a mixture of local schools including Epping Primary, Ivy Chimneys Primary, Coopersale Hall School and St Nicholas School, Old Harlow. Each winner received prizes donated by local businesses including Tesco, Jojo Maman Bebe, Piccola, Croft's Dental, Slice, Haywards restaurant and cafes including Starbucks, Fred and Dougs and Dada's.

Big Butterfly Count

We all take pleasure in seeing attractive butterflies in our gardens in the summertime, but which ones do you see and how common are they? EVENTSTo help answer the second question, you are invited to take part in the world's largest citizen science survey – the annual Big Butterfly Count. This year it will take place between Friday 16 July and Sunday 8 August and should take you no more than an hour or two to take part. The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed at helping the organisation Butterfly Conservation assess the health of our environment based on the abundance and variety of butterflies and day-flying moths across the nation. The data gathered will be used by scientists to assess where conservation efforts should be targeted in the future. The data are also crucial to butterfly specialists wanting to learn more about the populations and habits of various butterflies. Last year over a hundred thousand people submitting counts. It seems that, in a challenging year, the opportunity for connecting with nature and assisting with a national study was welcomed. It is of concern that, despite the increased number of participants, last year’s count saw a reduction of 34% of the number of butterflies logged in comparison with 2019 and the lowest average number of butterflies logged since the

event began eleven years ago. Even so, over 1.4 million butterflies were counted across the UK. The fall in butterfly numbers last summer may be due to an unusually warm spring which meant that many species emerged earlier than usual. So only the tail-end of the adult butterfly season was recorded. They are valuable indicators of the health of our environment as many butterfly species are under threat as a result of climate change, habitat loss and farming practices. As well as being beautiful creatures for us to appreciate, butterflies play a key role as food in the life of birds, mammals, invertebrates, and are important pollinators.

What you have to do.

Find a sunny spot and spend 15 minutes counting the butterflies that you see and then either submit your sightings online at www.bigbutterflycount.org or via the Big Butterfly Count app. There is also a free downloadable butterfly chart for you to use to help in identification. Remember that most butterflies fly only on sunny, calm days, or when it is warm and overcast and that places with flowers and long grass are favourite haunts. Always move slowly, as butterflies have keen eyesight, and try to prevent your shadow disturbing them. Don’t leave it too late in the day as sightings tail off in the late afternoon, even on warm, sunny days. Either carry the identification chart or a field guide to help you identify the species you see or take a photograph so that you can confirm the sighting at your leisure.

Keith Snow

At a recent Epping Forest District Council overview & scrutiny meeting, council Leader Chris Whitbread said: The world has changed so much in the past year and the Council has adapted its ways of working to encompass that. This is further demonstrated by the newly refurbished Civic Office in Epping scheduled to open soon. The Local Plan is a top priority for 2021/22 and he highlighted the risks that not having a definitive plan will pose. He also flagged up the Council’s housebuilding programme, saying it is something to be proud of and that the mix of tenancies is particularly important to support younger people in the district.

Regeneration of town centres

Regeneration of town centres was on the 8th June agenda of the Epping Forest District Council overview & scrutiny meeting, with a series of independent reports aimed at re-invigorating the district’s High Streets in the wake of Covid-19.

Members scrutinised the comprehensive reports prepared for Epping, Buckhurst Hill and Loughton High Street and Broadway. The reports advocate a partnerships approach involving town teams, made up of businesses, local people and parish/town councils to lead on big issues.

Flexible rail season tickets

New national flexible rail tickets, matching modern working habits and saving passengers hundreds of pounds, are now available to commuters across England. The launch of flexible season tickets is the first step in the reform of the railways, as part of the recently launched Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail. The paperless tickets will allow travel on any 8 days in a 28-day period, with passengers able to tap smartcards or scan mobiles at the station with no need to select the days of travel in advance. To encourage more passengers to travel by rail, for the rest of this year (until 31 December 2021), train companies will also offer a book with confidence guarantee, allowing people to rebook journeys or receive rail vouchers without an admin fee if their plans change.

Collect your copy of the magazine from Tesco

I am pleased to confirm that local people will be able to pick up their copy of the magazine from the Tesco store in Epping which is fantastic news. More people can pick up their copy, local businesses who advertise in the magazine will reach more readers. Hopefully the magazine will attract new readers in Epping too.