Policy information sourced from the Combined Policies of Epping Forest District Local Plan (1998) and Alterations (2006).

E4A Protection of Employment Sites

Sites currently or last in use for employment but outside the defined employment areas will be safeguarded from redevelopment or change of use to other land-uses. Housing on redundant employment land will be regarded favourably but any changes to this or other land uses will only be permitted in circumstances where it has been shown by an independent appraisal that either:

  1. the site is particularly poorly located in relation to housing or access by sustainable means; or
  2. there are material conflicts with adjoining land uses (e.g. by reason of noise, disturbance, traffic, environmental and amenity issues); or
  3. existing premises are unsuitable in relation to the operational requirements of modern business; or
  4. there is a demonstrable lack of market demand for employment use over a long period that is likely to persist during the plan period;

and there are very significant development or infrastructure constraints, making the site unsuitable or uneconomic to redevelop for employment purposes.

For more information, please see the Combined Policies document