May 10 - Everything Epping Forest

Everything Epping ForestPage 16 of 18Clash over school access plan4th May 2010ACCESS proposals for the new St John’s School in Epping are "completely wrong", it hasbeen claimed.Town council planning and general purposes committee chairman Ken Avey questionedthe planned access - via Bury Lane and Lower Bury Lane - saying an entrance from BoltCellar Lane would be preferable.During an exchange with councillor Ben Murphy, who supported a call for the matter to bedeferred until the next council meeting, Mr Avey told him: "You pipe down and listen to me,you’re just the boy round here."Continuing to voice his opposition to the Essex County Council plans, Mr Avey said: "Ican’t see any reason why they (the county council) should not withdraw these proposalsand pay more attention to the entrance from the top of Bolt Cellar Lane."Mr Avey had earlier said: "It shows a complete lack of attention to the loss of amenity bypeople who are supposed to be experts in traffic control and so on."It’s not only that they want to put an opening in that position, but it does affect peoples’amenity in Bury Lane and Lower Bury Lane and amenities from the town. "I can only seecomplete chaos."Mr Murphy later told the council that during a meeting with the county council’s educationcabinet member he had learnt that there was no fixed date for the new school build to startand that issues regarding capital funding for the project would be discussed after thegeneral election.Olive elected town mayor4th May 2010LIBERAL Democrat councillor Olive Dunseath has been elected as the new Eppingmayor.Conservative councillor Mari-Louise Whitbread was elected deputy mayor at tonight’sannual town council meeting.Miss Dunseath said: "I have always thought of myself as a back room worker. I find that tobe thrust to the forefront as a figurehead is somewhat daunting."Miss Dunseath thanked outgoing mayor Janet Hedges for her efforts and work during thelast year saying she had represented the town council and Epping "with dignity, humourand grace".Mrs Hedges, who raised £600 for charity during her year in office, said she had "reallyenjoyed" her year adding: "I have been able to speak to people from all walks of life."Teenager loses teeth in assault4th May 2010A TEENAGER has undergone extensive reconstructive facial surgery after being assaultedin Loughton.Police say the 18-year-old victim, from Chingford, was outside Loughton BBQ takeaway inthe High Road at about 2.30am yesterday (Bank Holiday Monday, May 3) when a man,without warning, punched him in the face.As he tried to run off, the victim was chased by the assailant and a group of men who werethrowing punches and kicking him.He fell outside The Hollybush pub and was further assaulted before the group of men andwomen ran off.The victim was taken by ambulance to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, with facialinjuries.He lost several teeth and suffered bone damage to his jaw and face which will requireextensive treatment and surgery over a long period of time, a police spokesman said.Detective Constable Lee Pudney, from Loughton CID, said: "This was mindless violenceand an unprovoked attack that has left the innocent victim with GBH injuries."I appeal to anyone who was with the group and can name the people responsible tocontact me or give information anonymously via Crimestoppers."Police say the two main suspects are white, aged 18-22 and slim. One was about 5ft 8install with short, dark hair, wearing a green polo shirt top, white zipped jacket and jeans. Healso wore a modern style cap.The other was taller, about 6ft and wearing a dark top and jeans.Anyone with information should ring detectives at Loughton on 0300 333 4444 orCrimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Man threatened at knifepoint4th May 2010A MAN was threatened with a knife by three men who forced their way into a bungalow inOngar.Detectives are appealing for information after the men targeted the property on CoopersHill at 10pm on Friday (April 30).The 23-year-old male occupant was threatened with a knife and was asked where the Irishman was.A police spokesman said it soon became apparent that there was no other person in theproperty and the men left empty-handed.Investigating Officer Detective Constable Laura Dyer said: "This was obviously a bungledtargeted attack in which the suspects had wrong information. Thankfully nobody wasinjured and nothing stolen. However these three men clearly need to be arrested as theycould harm the Irish man they are looking for."With the good descriptions of these men, we’re hoping someone can identify them forus."The assailants were white and in their early 20s. One man was about 5ft 11ins tall, fat, witha tattoo on one calf and wearing a black T-shirt.Another was about 5ft 6ins tall, wearing a white top and had short, cropped blonde hair. Allthree men had possible Irish accents.Anyone with any information should contact detectives at Epping Police Station on 0300333 4444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.Parking changes "will attract commuters"4th May 2010PROPOSED changes to parking regulations in Epping will simply encourage morecommuter parking, it is claimed.Pay-and-display charges in parts of the town - including stretches of Kendal Avenue - willsee a £2.80 charge for over two hours - cheaper than the £3.50-a-day charge to park atEpping Station.Graham Hayden, of Western Avenue, said: "Where do you think commuters will park first?This just looks like a revenue stream without any thought for consequences. What anonsense."The proposals form part of the long-awaited Epping Parking Review, which has been01/07/2010