Page 1 of 20 Everything Epping Forest 04/01/2010

Everything Epping ForestPage 9 of 20A NEW Verderer of Epping Forest has been appointed.Solicitor Michael Chapman takes on the historic role which dates back to the 13th century.He said: "As a walker and naturalist living in Theydon and Epping all my life I have alwaysenjoyed the forest. I hope I will be able to help preserve the natural beauty of the forest soit can continue to be enjoyed by all."Mr Chapman has a keen interest in natural history. His father was one of the foundingmembers of Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation Society. He is vice-president ofthe society and has also served as chairman of West Essex Health Authority and is thecurrent chairman of St Clare Hospice. He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Essex.The role of a Verderer involves playing a full part in all Epping Forest matters of the City ofLondon’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee. The name Verderer is derived from theNorman-French for green wood and originally helped administer the Royal Forests.To qualify for appointment a person must live within one of the forest parishes and not be amember of the Court of Common Council of the City of London. All applicants should alsohave a detailed knowledge of the forest, the principles under which it must be managedand the pressures operating on it.There are four Verderers who are full members of the Epping Forest and CommonsCommittee.At the committee's July meeting Verderer Michael Davies announced his intention toresign by the end of the year, with the view to the new incumbent being in position bythen.Under the terms of the Epping Forest Act 1878, a vacancy arising between the septennialelections of Verderers requires an appointment to be made by the committee acting onbehalf of the City of London as the Conservators of Epping Forest.Mr Chapman will take up his position in January and represent the Northern Parishes -Epping, Theydon Bois, Loughton, Waltham Holy Cross, Chingford and Chigwell. Thisappointment lasts until March 2013 when the septennial elections to appoint all fourEpping Verderers will take place.Dental surgery plans up for approval17th November 2009PLANS for a dental surgery at a private house in Epping are being recommended forapproval.Anu Sood is seeking planning approval from Epping Forest District Council to use thegarage at 31 Lindsey Street as a surgery between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday andfrom 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.The garage conversion would comprise a reception/waiting room, one surgery room and atoilet. There would be internal access from the surgery leading into the house.The existing in-out drive would be removed and a single central vehicle access added, withtwo off-street vehicle spaces in front of the surgery and three off-street parking spaces tothe side.A similar application was refused last year.Epping Town Council and nine nearby residents have objected with the town councilconcerned about the lack of parking both at the site and within a reasonable walkingdistance.Other concerns include the disposal of surgical waste, noise and disturbance, and theoverlooking from patients entering and leaving the surgery.Another claims that with the opening of a new practice in Epping High Street, the need fora new surgery is "somewhat redundant".A planning officer's report states: "The previous application was refused due to theinsufficient sight lines and the impact this would have on highway safety and the free flowof traffic on Lindsey Street. This recommendation for refusal was previously put forward byEssex County Council highway officers."The revised application proposes to remove the existing in-out driveway and replace itwith a central vehicle access that would be 3.5m wide and have low level planting on eitherside."Planners say the revised application adequately addresses the previous reason for refusal.Opposition to village homes17th November 2009PLANNING permission is being sought for six properties on agricultural green belt land atAbbess Roding.The two one-bedroom flats, two three-bedroom houses, one one-bedroom bungalow andone two-bedroom house would be so-called 'affordable' homes with parking andlandscaping.Abbess, Beauchamp and Berners Roding Parish Council fully supports the application forthe development in School Lane which would bring much-needed affordable housing to theparish.However several households have lodged objections with Epping Forest District Councilraising issues about highways, the green belt, the risk of flooding, the impact on the nearbysewage farm and the additional traffic which would be attracted to the narrow lane.The homes would have a typical Essex-style design in keeping with the overall characterof the village of Abbess Roding.An amended design to the properties was submitted after further discussions with theparish council, which considers the overall appearance of the scheme to be acceptable,the district council said.A planning officer's report states: "The proposed development would provide a 100 percent affordable housing scheme to address the identified need within the parish, and isfully supported by the parish council. However objection has been received from EssexCounty Council highways officers with regards to insufficient sight lines."Officers would not wish to go against the opinion of the local highway authority, as to doso could be detrimental to highway safety, however members may feel the sight linesobtainable on site, and the overall benefit of providing needed affordable housing in thisrural location, may be sufficient to outweigh this objection."A decision will be taken by the area planning committee.Concern over A414 roadworks04/01/201017th November 2009HARLOW MP Bill Rammell has called on Essex County Council to be open and clear overhow the much-needed road widening from the M11 to the A414 will affect day-to-day trafficflows.Mr Rammell announced in March last year that the Government would spend £9.9m inHarlow on measures to ‘dual’ the A414 from the Hastingwood A414-M11 junction to theA414/A1169 Southern Way roundabout to reduce congestion at peak times.But he has become concerned over recent weeks that the potential disruption from theseessential works was not being adequately communicated to residents, including how longthe works will take.Mr Rammell said: "It is excellent that the Government is spending a large sum of moneyon improving access onto and from the M11. However I am starting to become concernedthat the Tories at County Hall - as Essex County Council is Harlow’s highways authorityresponsible for spending this money - are simply not effectively communicating the short-