Debden is located in the county of Essex, with neighbouring Chigwell to its South East and Buckhurst Hill to its South West. The three Essex areas colloquially known as the golden triangle for its affluent residents. The locality is also naturally rich due to its luscious green spaces which much of East London does not have. South West Loughton sits somewhere between classic suburban England and a contemporary urban locale, where London’s largest open space (Epping Forest) meets critically acclaimed Japanese restaurants such as (Onami).

Debden’s first settlements date back to 2,500 years ago – yet in more recent history the area was recorded in William the Conqueror’s 1086 Domesday book under the name Lochintuna. Founded in 1908, South West Loughton is home to Britain’s oldest Athletic Club, Loughton Athletic Club. Around 30 years ago South West Loughton once had an audacious robbery by staff workers who stole £600,000 at the Bank of England’s Printing Factory. Approximately two-thirds of those from Loughton identify as being Christians, this is more than the approximately two-fifths of British people who identify with the Christian faith. To the south east of the Debden lies Roding Valley Meadows, the largest remaining managed water meadows in Essex.

The area is home to South London Cricket Club, founded in 1938, more than 80 years ago. The cricket team also has competitive matches for aspiring cricketers as young as five.

Anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual crime makeup more than two-fifths of Loughton’s reported crime from 2017-2018. Loughton parents are raising awareness of youth violence to help combat it.

Essex County Council is investing £315 million into expanding school places, some of which have gone towards creating 150 spaces for Roding Valley High School in Loughton. In terms of private development, local residents have expressed outrage over plans for more than 400 luxury homes and a wellness centre to be built in Loughton despite the council initially refusing proposals. This development is planned to be spread out over two different sites, although the plans do not include any infrastructural or built environment for the community at large. One resident also expressed concerns about the “continued gentrification of the area”. These potential changes to the neighbourhood are likely to re-emerge in different forms in the future, with land at Epping Forest College and Borders Lane Playing Fields recently purchased by Fairview New Homes.