Save Our Green Belt - Can you help? - It will only take a few minutes

In our view one of the end results  of the Draft National Planning Policy framework (see column on the right) is added pressure  on the Green Belt near the station to be released as part of the next local plan. This plan should to be updated within the next five years. If the Green belt near the station is released  it would create pressure on local infrastructure such as schools, doctors, dentists, hospitals, roads etc and add to an already over crowded tube. 

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) to which the Society is affiliated,  have suggested a response to the NPPF consultation as detailed below and which you may wish to consider . This can be personalised. There is a draft response laid our to a few of the Green Belt consultation questions here National Planning Policy Framework: respond to the consultation - CPRE  You don’t have to respond to the whole consultation – as CPRE say it will only take a few minutes. 

Even before these new rules come into effect , we have already seen a screening opinion planning application was made in respect of the current Green Belt land adjacent to Theydon Bois Station, Abridge Road. The developer (Redrow Homes) asked for an appraisal as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required. This would be a time consuming and costly exercise for them. The proposed residential development is for of up to 150 dwellings. 

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. It therefore seems that it will only be a matter of time until we see a full Planning Application in relation to this land.

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?

If so, the Society is looking for someone to help with reviewing and where necessary objecting to local planning applications. We aim to help try and keep the character and charm of our village. 

Just a hour or so a week would be required. If interested please get in touch via our e mail address:

Committee@tbruralpres.org.uk