Council discussed Green Belt Review

Epping Town Councillors considered the first draft of the District Council's Green belt review at their Planning Meeting on Tuesday, 23rd June. The District Council has a duty to undertake the review as part of the evidence base for the new local plan. The document details how every parcel of land within the Epping Forest District that is classifed as Metropolitan Green Belt was assessed to see if it's inclusion within the Green Belt contributed towards the Green Belt objectives, i.e. 1. To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built up areas 2. To prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another 3. To assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment 4. To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns The main purpose of the Stage 1 report is to exclude those areas of Green Belt which are considered completely unsuitable for consideration for release, like the Lea Valley Park and Epping Forest, certain strategic areas and farmlands. The District will then examine the remaining areas of Green Belt in more detail in Stage 2 of the Review. It is this second stage which would make recommendations concerning the release of any land from the Green Belt for future development. At this stage all the Green Belt areas surrounding Epping (excluding Forest land) are recommended for consideration at the 2nd Stage. Council's meetings are all open to the public. The meeting starts at 7.30 pm in Epping Hall.