The district's Green Party Councillors have reacted in dismay after the council was ranked poorly for being climate friendly.

Conducted by environmental group Friends of the Earth, Epping Forest District Council scored 56 per cent compared to Wiltshire that scored 92 per cent that came top.

Each council was scored within several areas, including renewable energy, public transport usage, electric vehicle chargers, tree cover and recycling.

Cllr Simon Heap, deputy leader of the Green Party group said. "This really is a bad news story. Epping Forest is in a position to demand more from its council. A little more imagination could save our residents money and help the environment.

"Much building is planned for the district and still there is no requirement for a simple inclusion of photovoltaic panels on each new build.

Epping Forest Guardian:

EFDC's deputy leader of the Green Party Group Cllr Simon Heap

"A lot of the areas chosen in the local plan will require the use of cars to make them viable for new residents," he continued. "No new bus routes are planned and the tube car parks are earmarked for building. There really is a lack of imagination at cabinet level.

"The council has declared a climate emergency but now it needs to get on with real measures to cut carbon to zero by 2030.

"We’re eager to help and it would be great to have the input of citizens. This is too big a change for councillors alone to take on."

A recent Green led all-party motion to Full Council had the district council declare a Climate Emergency and commit to going Carbon Neutral by 2030.