PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION

The following planning applications will be considered by Epping Town Council's Planning and General Purposes Committee on Tuesday 6th April 2010. If you wish to express your view to the committee on any of the application below, you can either email info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or attend the meeting in person at Epping Hall, St. John's Road, Epping, CM16 5JU.

EPF/0479/10 - Mr. L. Cole, 7 Crossing Road, Epping - Two storey side extension and rear extension.
EPF/0129/10 - Mr. A. Poulton, Land adjacent to Broadbents, Buttercross Lane, Epping - Erection of double garage with walls and gates.
LB/EPF/0367/10 - Mr. N. Clarke Hatrell, Forest Lodge, Woodmeads, Epping - Grade II Listed Building application for replacement roof on existing single storey rear extension, demolish existing rendered wall with glazed French doors and two windows, rebuild wall as glazed opening with glazing panels and French doors and various internal works.
EPF/0448/10 - Mr. R. Gough Stace LLP, Stace House, Buttercross Lane, Epping - Conversion of office building to four self-contained flats.
EPF/0451/10 - Mr. F. Galley, 37a Tower Road, Epping - Single storey rear extension / rear conservatory.
EPF/1210/10 - Mr. R. Sliffell, 2 Lower Busy Lane, Epping - Erection of detached workshop, first-floor extension over existing garage & boundary wall and gates.

DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION DATE ANNOUNCED

Epping Forest District Council has issued public notification of their intention to host an election of twenty District Councillors on Thursday 6th May 2010. This is widely believed to be the planned date of the General Election where residents will be asked to vote to elect a Member of Parliament.

Nominations are now open for those wanting to stand in the poll can obtain the relevant documentation from the Civic Offices, High Street, Epping, CM16 4BZ or by calling Electoral Services on 01992 564000. All nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer at the Civic Offices by 12pm on Thursday 8th April 2010.

Epping has two District Council seats up for election this year Epping Hemnall and Epping Lindsey & Thornwood Common. For more information on elections, please click here.

EPPING’S EASTER EGG HUNT - THIS SATURDAY

An exciting Easter Egg Hunt is to take place on Saturday 27th March from 10am to 3pm in Epping High Street.

The event, organised by the 1st Theydon Garnon Scout Group are asking children to join the hunt for eggs which will be hidden in shop windows right the way along the High Street.

Entry forms call be collected on Saturday from the stand outside Greggs Bakery at a cost of £1 per child. All proceeds will go towards the fundraising campaign to build a new scout hut in Flux’s Lane.

LISTED STATUS FOR EPPING'S WAR MEMORIAL

Epping Town Council has, today, received official notification that the town’s War Memorial in Church Hill has been granted Grade II listed building status.

Listed buildings are managed by English Heritage, but requests to obtain graded statuses have to be formally approved by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The status itself is designed to preserve our memorial as an item of significant importance and should ensure it is protected and maintained to a high standard for generations to come.

ST CLARE HOSPICE'S CELEBRATES 20th BIRTHDAY

Founders, trustees, staff and long-standing supporters of St. Clare Hospice have attended a special reception at the House of Commons to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the charity, hosted by Harlow MP, Bill Rammell and Epping Forest MP, Eleanor Laing.

The Hospice, which provides care for people with life-limiting diseases, such as cancer, end-stage neurological, cardiac, renal or lung disease, was first established by a group of local Councillors, healthcare professionals and business owners. Essex Radio presented the first cheque for £5,000 and a trustee, John Carr, raised £100 by placing a pint glass in a local pub, which raised enough money to register the charity formally. Since then, the hospice has gone on to help over 280,000 people in the local area.

During the reception, Richard Cowie, the current Chief Executive spoke about the plans for expansion and service development after which tours of the Parliamentary Estate were provided.

At a recent visit to the Hospice in Hastingwood, Mrs. Laing explained: “I am delighted to celebrate the Hospice's twentieth anniversary. So much good work has been done here over these twenty years and so many, many people have been helped. St Clare is one of our most popular local charities. It deserves lots of support and I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength."

NO PLANS TO EXTEND CENTRAL LINE PAST EPPING

Transport for London have confirmed that they have no plans to extend Central Line beyond Epping, despite rumours that a feasibility study has been commissioned to consider extending the track north of Epping Forest to Harlow.

A spokesman for the company said: "There is a well established rail link from Harlow into London, which stops at Tottenham Hale to link in with the Tube. Extending the Tube well outside of London to Harlow would not bring any journey time benefit to passengers, but would involve huge costs”.

Every since the Epping to Ongar section of the Central Line closed back in September 1994, residents who now have to travel into Epping from their own towns and villages have asked why Transport for London don’t extend the line further into Essex. I have put this question to TfL many times and the answer is simple - there just isn’t the money or the desire to do so.

CHURCHES TOGETHER TO HOST HUSTINGS EVENT

The Churches Together in the Epping Forest district have announced their intention to host a hustings in the run-up to the general election and that invitations have now been extended to representatives from each of the 7 political parties who have announced their intentions to stand for election.

The event, which will take place inside St. John’s Church in Epping will focus on issues such as morality, the sanctity of human life, the education of children in such matters and the support to be expected from the government in protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly the old and infirm.

Those interested in obtaining further details of this event can contact the Epping District team office on 01992 575570 or 01992 579935. Alternatively you can email them here.

EPPING TOWNSPERSON OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

The Mayor of Epping, Cllr. Mrs. Janet Hedges has officially presented the award for Epping’s ‘Townsperson of the Year 2010’ to Mary Morgan, a truly inspirational member of our community who has held a vast range of voluntary and charity positions in and around the town for a number of years.

I first met Mary and her very supportive husband at the ‘Christmas Alone Lunch’, which she hosts in the Catholic Church Hall at 12pm each Christmas Day. The event is open to anyone who would usually spend the day alone and not only is a four-course lunch provided, but a raft of entertainment is laid on and presents distributed. It really is one of the most magically generous events I have had the pleasure in attending. I have no questioning my mind when I describe Mary Morgan as an unsung hero and an exemplary member of our town. Truly selfless lady with a fantastic personally and a heart of pure gold.

Mrs. Morgan was presented with her award by the Mayor along with Lord Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Michael Chapman, Deputy Lord Lieutenant.

MP LAING TO ATTEND BUSINESS THEMED DEBATE

The Epping Forest Chamber of Commerce is to host a political debate on Wednesday 21st April at Woolston Manor Golf and Country Club from 7.30am to discuss the big issues effecting local business, covering everything from the significant increase seen in business rates to the impact of the global financial crisis.

Representatives from all of the national political parties have been invited to attend, including Conservative MP for Epping Forest, Eleanor Laing, who has agreed to ensure there is a lively debate on both local and national issues and welcomed the opportunity to discuss the key issues effecting business within her constituency.

Epping Forest Chamber of Commerce is an independent, non-profitable organisation run by business people for the benefit of commerce in the local community. The Chamber brings together over 100 diverse companies in the Epping Forest district.

To obtain your ticket for this event, which are being charges at £12 to members and £15 to non-members, please telephone on 0843 289 8184 or email here Alternatively you can book online here. Tickets include a full English breakfast.

BURGLARY NUMBERS DECREASE IN EPPING FOREST

This weekend, I have had a discussion with the District Commander of Policing, Chief Inspector Alan Ray, specifically around dwelling burglaries in Epping Forest, which has been an issue effecting a large number of local residents for many years.

On this issue there is generally good news. Our district has seen a 9% reduction in dwelling burglaries in the past year, which bucks the nation and local trend; Harlow is up 38%, Brentwood is up 30% and Havering is up 25%. During the same period, we have seen an increase of 23% in attempted burglaries, meaning that residents have been a great deal more on the ball in reporting concerns before a crime is actually committed.

That said, the western policing division, which incorporates Epping Forest, Harlow and Brentwood remains the worst in Essex for dwelling burglaries, so the important cross-border work must continue.

One way residents can help drive down these figures is by ensuring their doors are actually locked! It sounds simple, but an enormous amount of burglaries in this area are committed when people think their UPVC doors are locked when it is merely shut. Let’s remain alert and continue to report questionable circumstances or people in our communities.

To discuss any specific concerns you have relating to criminal activity in Epping, please contact PC Gary Harrington at Epping Police Station on 0300 333 4444 or on 07779 317211. Alternatively you can email him here.

YOUNG PEOPLE VOTE TO LOWER VOTING AGE

Epping Forest District Youth Council have hosted a debate and vote which brought forward a motion that the voting age in the UK should be lowered from 18 to 16 years of age. 54% voted in favour of the motion at an event held at the Civic Offices in Epping designed to encourage an interest in democracy among the district's younger residents.

The Youth Council had an opportunity to meet with and question District Council Chairman, Cllr. Mrs. Penny Smith, Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing and Harlow MP Bill Rammell.

The full debate was webcast and can be viewed by clicking on this link.

SPRING EDITION OF "THE FORESTER" RELEASED

Epping Forest District Council have launched their latest edition of “The Forester” magazine this week, which provides local residents with a mix of council and community news, features and has an A to Z of the most frequently used council phone numbers. It is sent to all residents in the district.

This addition includes actiles on: CCTV success, emergency planning, waste and recycling, Waltham Abbey bible, parrot appeal, Essex on tour and much more.

To download your copy now, please click here. For past editions of The Forester, please click here.

TEENAGE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AT STONARDS HILL

A 17-year-old boy from Epping was arrested and charged today for possession of an offensive weapon (an 18-in metal weight-lifting bar), which was discovered at Stonards Hill Recreation Ground following an incident which saw a 15-year-old boy, also from Epping suffer a broken right elbow.

The 17-year-old has been bailed and is set to appear before Harlow Youth Court on Friday 19th March. Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who has any information about the incident is urged to call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.

TORY MEPs STAND-UP FOR ESSEX BUSINESSES

Conservative Eastern Region MEP’s , Geoffrey Van Orden and Vicky Ford are extending invitations to local businesses of all sizes to an important conference to be held at Clare College in Cambridge on 15th March.

The event will be attended by leading members of the Shadow Cabinet and experts in EU
funding programmes. This will be an excellent opportunity to hear about possible developments in business policy and to get a clear, down-to-earth explanation of how you could get EU funds for your business.

Geoffrey explained: “2010 is going to be an important year in British politics and of particular significance for local businesses. If you run a business or have any interest in these issues, you would be warmly welcome to attend”.

Fore more information please email Geoffrey here or call his office on +32 (0)2 284 7332. Alternatively, you can visit his website here.

CLUB ONE9FIVE TO REOPEN WITHIN A WEEK!

Epping’s renowned Club One9Five will reopen on Friday 26th February after Epping Forest District Council’s licensing sub-committee issued the nightclub a new license today.

The club’s license was revoked and subsequently closed following a serious incident outside of the venue on Sunday 26th September 2009 in which 8 people were stabbed and a number of others injured. The committee announced at 12.45pm that a decision had been made to issue a new license following Club One9Five’s change in management and promises to make changes to safety and security procedures.

For those of you who don’t understand the depths of the Licensing Act 2003, if a new management team apply for a new license, any of the historic criminal activity or generic trouble associated with the old licensees has to be disregarded by the committee whilst considering the new application.

To view Club One9Five’s application form and the letters received from local business and residents, please click here.

CAFE BELGIQUE ISSUED WITH FOOD WARNING

Epping’s Belgique Café located in High Street has received an official food safety management warning from Epping Forest District Council’s environmental health officers this week, after an inspection found that shrimps, cheese and ham were all out of date, in one case, by more than a month.

At a hearing at Harlow Magistrates’ Court, the food was ordered to be condemned and destroyed, with the café chain told to pay costs.

A Council spokesman said: "Two hygiene and improvement notices have been issued to Belgique on ‘food management safety’ and ‘staff training’. They have 14 days to comply with the notices and failure to do so could lead to prosecution."

DRUG DEALERS GET COMBINED 65 YEAR SENTENCE

Three gentlemen from Epping Forest, Frankie Stedman, 26, of Cunningham Rise, North Weald, John Esqulant, 52, of Blackacre Road, Theydon Bois and Columbian national Fernando Hurtado, 41, of Waltham Abbey have been sentenced to a combined 65 years in prison after the Serious Organised Crime Agency uncovered a drug operation involving £80m worth of cocaine (299 kilos).

Hurtado and Esqulant have now been found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine at Leicester Crown Court where they were sentenced to 28 years' imprisonment. Stedman, who was arrested on June 18, 2009 as he stepped off a plane at Heathrow Airport, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was jailed for 9 years.

A spokesman for SOCA said: "These men thought they could make a lot of money through drug trafficking but they were wrong. Our officers were one step ahead of them and made sure their plan failed. SOCA is investigating the gang's finances. A confiscation hearing will take place later this year.”

GYPSY & TRAVELLER UPDATE: Government Appeal

The Leader of Epping Forest District Council will appeal directly to the Government for the removal of the Direction requiring the Council to consult upon and develop a separate Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document. The letter to Right Honourable John Healey MP, Minister for Housing and Planning within the Department of Communities and Local Government was recommended at the Cabinet meeting on 4 January to Full Council on 19 January for final approval.

Councillor Di Collins will publish a letter on behalf of the Council drawing attention to the substantial increase in provision of authorised pitches since the Government Direction. She will state that the workload associated with continuation of the Government Direction is putting other planning priorities at risk. She will seek approval for the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document to be subsumed within the Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework. She will seek support from all three local MPs and the Shadow Minister.

Councillors also asked Councillor Collins to remind the Minister that the new planning framework was supposed to streamline processes and reduce costs. The Direction seems to have created the opposite effect. Councillors complimented the local community for the amount of work that had gone into the responses to the consultation and stressed that this evidence base was a key input to further work on the DPD.

Epping Forest District Council is required to identify space to accommodate a minimum of 34 additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches by 2011. Through the normal planning process, permissions and approvals have reduced this figure to about 20. However, more than 10,500 people responded individually or as part of groups to the consultation on potential sites. This led to a massive evaluation exercise for Council staff which has taken far longer than the Government timetable envisaged.

The Council wants to streamline the process by subsuming the Gypsy and Traveller issues into the Core Strategy as part of the Local Development Framework. The LDF replaces the Local Plan as the ‘blue-print’ for policies against which future planning applications are judged. Completion of the LDF is considered vital by the Council as it prepares with Harlow and East Herts District Councils to implement the recommendations of the East of England Plan. The Council will continue the preparation of the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document pending the Minister’s response.

Councillor Di Collins said: “There is enormous strength of feeling among residents and councillors. We believe the original Government Direction was flawed. We are now appealing to the Minister to look at the outcome of that Direction - the process that Epping Forest District Council has followed - and listen to local residents and councillors and the evidence we have already collected. If he listens, I believe he must understand that the Direction should be lifted and local people should be trusted with the power to make decisions for ourselves.”

DISTRICT RUBBISH COLLECTIONS SUSPENDED

Following several accidents and injuries involving members of the refuse collection teams, all waste and recycling collections have been suspended throughout the district. The collection crews are facing severe difficulties in providing the service due to the very dangerous conditions which exist on many of the district’s roads and pavements. During the suspension of normal operations the Council have diverted resources to the gritting of town centres and secondary shopping areas.

They will continue to monitor the situation carefully and recommence waste and refuse collections as soon as it is safe to do so. Prioritised collections will take place so that those properties that have been waiting the longest for a collection are dealt with first.

Councillor Mary Sartin, Environment Portfolio Holder said: “I would like to express my thanks and concern for the waste collection crews. They have done everything possible to keep collections going but conditions have become too dangerous. Refuse and recycling collections will recommence as soon as it is safe. In the meantime I would like to thank residents for their continuing patience and support.”

'HELP THY NEIGHBOUR' SAYS COUNCIL LEADER

The Leader of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr. Mrs. Di Collins released a public statement today saying: “Severe weather puts a great deal of extra strain on local services but it is in these situations that we find the best examples of community spirit. If you know someone who may be vulnerable why not give them a ring or a knock on the front door just to make sure they are all right. If travellingm Have plenty of warm clothing and an emergency supply of food and drink in your car. Make sure you are not short on fuel and put a spade in the boot. Make sure your mobile phone is charged and has enough credit. Keep a careful eye on weather reports and travel news before deciding to travel. Tuning into your local radio station can be the best source of news.”

HOW ARE WE DEALING WITH THE SNOW IN EPPING?

I’ve had a number of emails and calls from residents recently regarding how Essex County Council’s Highways and Transportation department are helping to keep Epping moving during the heavy snow we have seen in the past few weeks. Many residents have asked which roads actually get gritted or salted as part of the Council’s precautionary measures (i.e. when frost, ice or snow are forecast) and the answer is:

* Motorways.
* “A”, “B” and “C” roads, main roads linking estates etc.
* Direct access routes to hospitals, fire and ambulance stations.
* Public service bus routes carrying a total of four or more public service buses per day, at least 5 days a week.
* Sites of four or more recorded accident (Personal injury accidents) within a 3 year period where frost/ice on the carriageway surface was a contributory factor.
* Rural routes, i.e. the main access road, leading to the main settlement, of parishes of 50 Households or more.
* Epping Forest District Council are also provided with a supply of salt grit to cover town centres.

In Epping, the following roads are also covered: Lindsey Street, High Street, High Road, Palmers Hill etc, The Plain, Coopersale Common, Stonards Hill, Coopersale Street, Stewards Green Road, Station Road, Centre Drive, Bower Hill, Bridge Hill, Brook Road, Ivy Chimneys Road, Theydon Road, Bury Lane, Tower Road, Lower Swaines, Coronation Hill and Shaftsbury Road.

The following roads are classed as “secondary roads” that we salt post snow/ice when resources permit and when the main salted roads are clear: Kendall Avenue, Ravensmere, Hemnall Street (both sections), Bakers Lane running into Ingles Mead, Nicholl Road running into Amesbury Road, Lincolns Fields, Rayfield, Severns Field (cul-de-sac), Beaconfield Road, Beaconfield Avenue.

A number of residents have also raised concern about the recent state of Crows Road, given the fact it is a very well used road to access St. John’s School and has a steep incline, so I have today had this road added to the secondary roads list.

Epping Town Council has also purchased a number of salt bins which are scattered across the town. These are to be used by residents who believe the road outside of their home is dangerous. They can be found at: Theydon Grove (opposite number 3), in Beaconsfield Road (opposite number 24), in Parklands (opposite 48), in Ingles Mead (at the junction with Rayfield), in Stewards Green Road (opposite the Merry Fiddlers Pub) and in St. John’s Road (inside Epping Primary School’s gates).

For more information about County Highways and travel information, please click here. Otherwise you can follow the latest announcements on Twitter here.

REFUSE COLLECTION RULES SUSPENDED

Epping Forest District Council have announced today that they are suspending their standard rules on refuse collection to help ease the backlog of waste created over the Christmas period, which was impacted badly by the recent weather conditions.

The statement issued says: “The Council has suspended its normal rules on the putting out of side waste and will take away all waste put out for collection until the backlog has been cleared. Residents are reminded that dry recycling (including glass) can be put out in any container (except a black plastic sack) and the crews will collect it. Christmas trees will also be collected as part of the food and garden service, provided that they are not taller than, or have been cut down into pieces of, not more than four feet (1.2 metres). Residents are requested to continue to separate their recycling as this is particularly important at this time of year due to the volumes of glass, plastic and paper packaging in the waste stream.”

DISGUST AT PROPOSED WOOTON BASSETT MARCH

Today, I received a message from the family of the late Royal Marine Georgie Sparks, which informed me of a proposed protest march organised by an extremist Islamic al-Muhajiroun movement in the small market town of Wooton Bassett.

Anjem Choudary of Islam4UK has sparked dismay with plans for 500 of its members to parade with empty coffins symbolising Muslim victims through the town, which has become famous for honouring service personnel killed in the conflict, as they land at RAF Lyneham.

I wrote to Cllr. Chris Wannell, the Mayor of Wooton Bassett, last year to express the thanks of the people of Epping for the truly astonishing way their community had stood together and committed to showing each and every one of our war dead absolute respect when their bodies returned home.

Today, I have found myself writing to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary to express my concerns at the proposed march in this small town, as I believe it to be complete inappropriate and very disrespectful both to the community of Wooton Bassett and also to friends and families of the hundreds of brave soldiers who have travelled through the town.

Islam4UK claim to simply be making a political stand against the war, which, as a wholehearted believer in democracy, I can accept. However, this group, like all others, should make their representations known to those who made the decision to take our country to war and who are the only people who can end it, which is our Members of Parliament. Westminster is designed to accommodate protest marches of this kind. Bombarding Wooton Bassett in this way is, quite frankly, shameful and inappropriate.

This protest march will require the approval of the Home Secretary to take place, so please join me in sharing your concerns by emailing the Home Secretary here johnsona@parliament.uk or by writing to Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson MP, Home Secretary, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF. Alternatively your can email the Prime Minister here BrownG@parliament.uk or write to him at 10 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AA.

WINTER SCENES IN & AROUND EPPING FOREST

Epping Forest District Council’s photographer has managed to capture some beautiful pictures from across the district in the sever winter weather we have been subject to in the past few weeks, which you can view here.

MBE AWARDED TO LOCAL PC GERRY WILLMOTT

A long-serving Metropolitan Police Officer from North Weald has been made a MBE for his work setting up a boxing club for inner city youths.

PC Gerry Willmott, of School Green Lane, was awarded the accolade in the Queen's New Year's Honours list after receiving widespread praise after launching a boxing club for young people in the London Borough of Haringey in 1999, as a way of keeping young people out of trouble by teaching them the discipline of the sport.

Gerry explained: "Ten years ago we just needed something to get the kids off the streets. We wanted to do something different from football and basketball and I have a background of boxing, even after joining the police force in 1975." Speaking about his MBE, he said: "When I found out I was completely surprised, I never expected to ever receive anything like this."

Gerry is a very old family-friend and I couldn’t think of a more fitting person to receive an award of this kind. Before moving to North Weald, he lived in Chapel Road in Epping for many years and served as a police officer in Waltham Abbey. He’s a man who gives so much of his time to benefit others and is the sort of person we all aspire to be. Well done Gerry!!