Save Our Green Belt - Green belt in Abridge Road under threat

Developers are seeking to build 150 new homes on the fields behind the tube station. See the area outlined in red above.

This would, in our view, be inappropriate development in the Green Belt. These fields form part of the Green Belt that protects Theydon Bois.

If this goes ahead the impact on our Village would be significant and irreversible. Our Village would no longer be a village.

Why This Matters to Every Resident

• Our village would become a town

The rural character, charm and culture that make Theydon Bois unique would be permanently altered. The railway line has always been our agreed boundary - this development pushes far beyond it.

• Transport links are already struggling

Our roads, parking, and the Central line are already at capacity. Hundreds of extra people will make congestion and parking worse.

• Essential services would be unable to cope

Local GP surgeries, schools and community services are already stretched. Additional development would place them under further strain.

• Other developments are already coming

Other large developments locally will add hundreds of houses to the area.

• Falling birth rates affect planning

The Office for National Statistics has published that the birth rate is at a record low. Do we need additional housing beyond what is already agreed and planned?

The developer (Redrow Homes) has already asked for an appraisal as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required.

Despite the site not being within the current “Local Plan (2011-33)” for development, and that Epping Forest is a Special Area of Conservation ('EFSAC') ,EFDC’s Planning Officer has ruled that such an Impact Assessment is not required.

Please help by objecting to this planning application

Its your Village:

Your voice will make a difference

A clear message from residents can help stop inappropriate development. The current closing date for comments is 23rd March, although the Parish Council are looking to get this date extended. 

The EFDC Planning Application Number is:

EPF/0354/26

Full details of the Application are on the EFDC website at the following link:-

Planning Application: EPF/0354/26

Write to:

• Epping Forest District Council – Planning Department, (by email appcomment@eppingforestdc.gov.uk)

• Theydon Bois Parish Council (parishclerk@theydonbois-pc.gov.uk )

• Our MP, Dr Neil Hudson (neil.hudson.mp@parliament.uk )

to object to this planning application.

The Society are currently examining this application and will update this webpage in the coming days with further information.

Note the Parish Council plan to hold a meeting for villagers to receive information about this  on Wednesday 25th March 2026 at 7.30PM in the Village Hall.

New National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2026

The Government is consulting on revamping the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This sets out the Government's planning policies and how they should be applied. These policies guide local authorities when producing their own ‘local plans’ that are used to approve or reject local planning applications.

Going forwards, national policies will override local plan policies where they contradict.

Of prime concern to Theydon Bois is a new policy that supports housing in current Green Belt land that is within a reasonable walking distance to railway stations. Locally, this means we are more likely to see applications for development in the fields along Abridge Road. This, in our opinion, would fundamentally change our village into a town.

The Rural Preservation Society are responding to the consultation and objecting to these changes. We believe this policy change this would lead to more sprawling development towards Abridge, increased car usage, pressure on local services such as schools, doctors, dentists etc, and would contribute towards overcrowding on the Central line. We feel this policy also contradicts another policy on beneficial uses of Green Belt land, as building on land near stations would lead to the loss of the open countryside. Instead, we would support a policy that encouraged more housing development on previously developed or brownfield land. 

Are you interested in local planning matters?

Are you interested in trying to help our village retain is character? 

Are you concerned that the countryside around our village may be built upon? Can you spare an hour or two? 

If the answers to these questions is “YES” perhaps you would like to join the committee of the Rural Preservation Society, with a focus on reviewing local planning applications. 

The Society was founded 83 years ago, in 1943 during World War 2 and is a registered charity. At that time there was significant concern that rebuilding after the war would destroy our countryside. Therefore, the Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation Society was founded to preserve the rural character of our village and the countryside in and around Theydon Bois as an appropriate and natural complement to Epping Forest. These are still our goals today. 

If interested, please contact us at the following email address Committee@tbruralpres.org.uk”