Old Pastures fenced in again!
The land known as Old Pastures is or was a publicly used ‘meadow’ accessed from Stonards Hill recreation ground to the west or the Epping Forest buffer land to the north. Its east boundary is the old railway line embankment, and the south is Stonards Hill road.
There were 4 access points in the fencing that was put up several years ago. These have all been recently fenced off again as you can see in the pictures. The photos also clearly show how well-worn these paths are – being accessed by local people for decades.
The Epping Society plans to put forward an application to ECC for public rights of way (PROW) to be incorporated in this ‘meadow’ for future generations to enjoy.
If you have been a regular walker over Old Pastures, please can you download & fill in the attached evidence form. (at bottom of this article) Completed copied can be handed in at the Epping Town Council Office in St Johns Road marked ‘For the Epping Society’
An aerial view of Old Pastures on Google maps clearly shows the footpaths.
This land is designated Green Belt, and its development is not included in the Local plan. It is outside the Epping town boundaries and within the Green Belt boundary.
The Epping Society recently ran a campaign to support the retention of the Green Belt boundary to prevent any further development. As we are all aware, the town lacks sufficient infrastructure improvements to allow for any increase in population and until these are addressed and developed, no further development should be agreed.
In fact, the Neighbourhood Plan clearly defines this area as Local Green Space and proposed Greenway – see the map below taken from the Epping Town Neighbourhood Plan which is now ‘under examination’.
With that in mind our intention is to apply for recognition of the PROWs with ECC and also to consider an application for an ‘ Asset of Community Value’ designation.
The current owners of the land clearly object to this proposed designation with this representation of the EFDC website for the Neighbourhood Plan.
We need to safeguard this ‘meadow’ for future generations and stop its release from designated Green Belt and therefore potential development.
January 2025
Epping Society
So what can you do to help? First of all PLEASE Sign our petition by clicking the link below and secondly compete the 'evidence of use' form below. Simply download it and print it off. Then fill it in and return to us at the Epping Town Council Office in St Johns Road marked ‘For the Epping Society’
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