A COMPANY, which plans to build hundreds of new homes on Green Belt land say the council wants them to take “the wrong approach” to the development.

Peer Group is promoting a 300-home development at one of three sites on the Ongar Park Estate in North Weald as part of Epping Forest council's local plan process.

However, the firm has butted heads with the local authority over the location of the potential development.

Peer Group claim the council asked for homes to be built to the north of the village on “prime agricultural land”, even though its own consultants, Allies and Morrison, disagreed.

In a 2014 study, the consultants judged lower quality Green Belt land to the south of the village should be used for the development instead.

Peer Group managing director, Howard Dawson, said: “We have written to all residents in North Weald Bassett as we want to make sure they have the chance to have their say on the future of the village.

“Whilst we understand there are a range of views around new housing across the district, Peer Group is keen to play a constructive role in this process.

“At present, the council is proposing to allocate sites in North Weald Bassett on the best and most versatile agricultural land, located in the open countryside. We believe this is the wrong approach.”

Peer Group has pledged to “protect North Weald Bassett’s traditional layout and character, and retain the best and most versatile agricultural land.”

They have since delivered 2,100 leaflets to residents in the area so they can have their say via consultation.

The move comes just weeks before the council is due to publish its draft local plan.

A spokesman for Epping Forest council said: “The council has a robust and comprehensive site selection process which consistently assesses sites proposed for development.

“This has concluded to date that growth to the north of North Weald Bassett is considered the most suitable approach based on the evidence available.

“Work is now continuing to prepare the local plan in light of responses received to the draft local plan consultation and other evidence.

“The leaflet and survey issued by the Peer Group is not part of the council’s ongoing local plan preparation process, and has been initiated by the promoter of the site without consultation with the council.”

North Weald Parish Council currently say they will not comment on the plans until they are submitted formally.

Chairman, Cllr Cyril Hawkins, said: "The parish council is aware of the proposals drawn up by Peer Group for 38 acres of land on the Ongar Park Estate however until a planning application has been submitted the council is unable to comment further.

"The parish council's planning committee will consider the application at a meeting which will be open to the public when councillors will have all the available information before them and will be in a position to discuss the proposals and make any comments to the district council."

Plans to build on any green belt land has been condemned by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

Rebecca Pullinger, a planning campaigner at CPRE, said: “The Green Belt is invaluable in preventing urban sprawl, and making our towns and cities more exciting places to live.

“We should be protecting our Green Belt, rather than promoting the development of agricultural land within it.

“We should also be investing in any low quality farmland, using it to produce the food we need and to keep our green spaces open.”

  • The consultation is still ongoing. To have your say, visit: ongarparkestate.co.uk.