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Search the Public Notice PortalEpping Forest District Council has been stripped of its power to decide on major planning applications.
The decision, made by ministers at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), transfers authority for large developments to central government under Section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson has called on the Secretary of State to reverse the "outrageous" move, warning it "undermines local democracy" and disregards progress made by the council.
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Dr Hudson said: "Outrageously, the government has stripped Epping Forest District Council of the sole local right to determine major planning applications. This means that my constituents will have major planning decisions taken by central government and not by our local council.
"Epping Forest District is largely green belt, and we are already under threat from speculative housing applications, farmland being sacrificed for solar plants, and the Labour Government arbitrarily reclassifying Green Belt as so-called 'grey belt.'
"Will the Secretary of State step in and reverse this awful planning policy decision, which is a complete affront to local democracy?"
The MP said the council had acted on government concerns and begun making improvements, describing the decision as "unjust" and a clear disregard for local control. He has pledged to continue campaigning for the powers to be restored.
The government’s action follows a warning letter in March 2026 from the MHCLG chief planner, who raised concerns that 14.6 per cent of the council’s major planning decisions over the two years to March 2025 had been overturned on appeal—exceeding the 10 per cent threshold by 4.6 per cent.
Epping Forest District Council has since reformed its planning committee processes, with early evidence suggesting these changes are starting to have an impact.
Despite this, the designation means developers proposing schemes of more than 10 homes, buildings over 1,000 square metres, or developments on larger sites can bypass the council and apply directly to a government-appointed planning inspector.
Cllr Chris Whitbread, leader of Epping Forest District Council, called the decision "an attack on local democracy".
Cllr Whitbread said: "District councillors are the voice of local residents. Taking away their power to determine major planning applications is an attack on local democracy and accountability.
"The Epping Forest district is over 90% Green Belt. We understand the pressure from government to build more houses, but we also represent the interests of residents already here."
He added the council had worked "incredibly hard" to improve its planning processes and implement recommendations from the Planning Advisory Service, including "unpopular changes" to its planning committees.
Cllr Whitbread explained: "To remove our local powers now when the reforms are just about to bear fruit makes no sense. The Rt. Hon. Steve Reed MP should think again."
The council will retain authority over minor applications, including householder improvements, but will still be required to assist with the administration of major schemes without receiving the associated planning fees.
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