Residents from a tightly-knit community have reacted in anger to a proposed 58-home development in Epping.
Bower Vale and Bower Hill residents say the blocks will dwarve the surroundings, block out sunlight, create privacy issues, increase traffic and parking issues, and degrade the safe, family-orientated community they have built over the years.
Troy Homes’ plans to build on the vacant industrial site in Bower Hill, Epping, have previously been rejected by Epping Forest District Council.
In a last bid to get the scheme green-lit, the developer has turned to the Planning Inspectorate; the latest proposals will go before an appeal hearing in July.
An aerial view of gardens and the old laundry site behind Bower Vale. Photo: Darren Rackham
The former laundry site where the development is planned has lain derelict following a fire in 2014. Photo: Darren Rackham
Darren Rackham, 46, who has lived in Bower Vale for seven years says the scheme is “bonkers” and an excuse to profit from “commuter barracks”.
“Clearly our local plan says we want affordable homes for people in the town to start families”, he said.
"Epping is a beautiful town with a very strong character. We need to keep it that way, protect it from unsightly and ill-thought-out over-developments like this. We need greener homes not more urban zones."
Bower Hill and Bower Vale residents share a community garden area. Photo: Darren Rackham
82-year-old Maggie Stockton is worried the development will have a negative impact on traffic.
In a statement made to the Epping Forest Guardian earlier this month, Troy Homes claimed the 58-home plan would “in fact reduce traffic and pollution levels”
Ms Stockton, a Bower Vale resident of 29 years, said: “How is it going to reduce traffic? A nonsense. If you have a massive increase in dwellings, and let us say the average for each dwelling is two vehicles, its not going to reduce traffic is it.”
Troy Homes also claims the plan will “create a high-quality environment with excellent landscaping, which complements the character of the surrounding area and limits the impact on neighbours.”
Ceris Pike, who has lived in Bower Vale for six years, on the side closest to the development, disagrees.
The 39-year-old said: “I have three little children aged between three and eight so our garden is really important to us; the kids play out there all the time, rain, wind or shine.
“Putting a four-storey block directly behind my house is quite worrying. It completely takes away any privacy that we have."
The closely-knit community also share a herb garden. Photo: Darren Rackham
Ms Pike, who is worried the block will cause a “complete loss of sunlight” in her south facing garden, is also concerned how a development of this size will affect the closely-knit community.
“We have 12 children under the age of nine in the street”, she added. “They all play together. It is a lovely community. Very family orientated, very safe. The nature of the development just means that it’s probably going to be commuters, not part of our community, not contributing to life in this part of the area and probably making it less safe, with more traffic and more people milling about.”
Bower Vale resident of 28 years, Jackie Delavigne, says residents accept that one day the site will have to be developed and they are not opposed to that fact.
However Ms Delavigne, 56, says the current proposals are “too big and too oppressive”.
She added: “We are going to be over shadowed and overlooked from all sides.”
Residents have put together a shared lockdown library. Photo: Darren Rackham
Dan Curtis, 42, a Bower Vale resident of ten years, agreed. “We are not opposed to a development being put there”, he said.
“We are aware, and fully support, the land being redeveloped. But what we are opposed to is the sheer volume of dwellings they are proposing… it will literally be towering over us all. We will constantly be living in shadow.”
Mr Curtis also believes proposal will create infrastructure issues.
He continued: “Getting an appointment at the surgery is already difficult and there is not enough places for schools around here.
“They are not allocating enough parking spaces for the dwellings. We already have enough issues with parking in the area.”
Kids from the area often play together in the street and parents are worried an increase in traffic would make this dangerous. Photo: Darren Rackham
Kelly Collins is worried the development will “dominate the whole street scene and dwarf everything around it.”
The 44-year-old who has lived in Bower Vale for seven years added: “I have never lived in such a warm and friendly community before. Not only do I know everyone on my street, I know their kids’ names, we walk each other’s dogs and collect each other’s groceries for each other which has been unbelievably helpful during Covid-19.”
Residents have launched an online petition - which at the time of writing has amassed over 500 signatures - challenging the proposal.
They have also set up a website which they will use to lobby for the "right development" on the site: www.eppinglaundrysite.co.uk
To sign the petition visit: www.change.org/eppinglaundrysite
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