Policy information sourced from the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033

P6 North Weald Bassett

  • Proposals for development on allocated sites should accord with the site specific policy requirements set out in Part Two of this Plan.

Residential Sites

  • In accordance with Policy SP1 the following sites are allocated for residential development:
    1. NWB.R1 Land West of Tylers Green, NWB.R2 Land at Tylers Farm, NWB.R3 Land South of Vicarage Lane, NWB.R4 Land at Chase Farm and NWB.R5 Land at The Acorns, Chase Farm – a minimum of 1,050 homes.

Employment Sites

  • In accordance with Policies SP1 and E1 the following existing sites are designated for employment uses:
    1. NWB.E1 New House Farm, Vicarage Lane
    2. NWB.E2 Tylers Green Industrial Estate
    3. NWB.E3 Weald Hall Farm and Commercial Centre
    4. NWB.E4B Bassett Business Park and Merlin Way Industrial Estate
  • In accordance with Policies SP1 and E1 the following site is allocated for B2/B8 Use Class/ offices, research and development and light industrial (within Use Class E) employment uses:
    1. NWB.E4A North Weald Airfield

Traveller Sites

  • In accordance with Policies SP1 and H4 the following site is allocated for traveller accommodation:
    1. NWB.T1 Land West of Tylers Green – five pitches

Sustainable Transport Choices

  • In accordance with Policy T1, all development proposals must demonstrate how they will respond to the need to make provision for, and improve and promote use of existing cycling and walking networks and access to passenger transport services. The Strategic Masterplans for North Weald Bassett and North Weald Airfield must incorporate measures to promote and encourage the use of sustainable methods of transportation and provide viable alternatives to private car use. Such measures are to be planned in consultation with Essex County Council (and relevant passenger transport providers) through the production of the Strategic Masterplans. The measures should provide for, and encourage, more sustainable travel patterns by contributing toward integrated walking and cycling, and public transport connectivity to the wider areas, including Epping and Harlow. The proposed measures need to be underpinned by feasibility evidence that demonstrates the delivery of modal shift away from single occupancy private car use by way of sustainable travel measures.

Infrastructure Requirements

  • New development must be served and supported by appropriate on and off-site infrastructure and services. Development should deliver and/or contribute towards the delivery of infrastructure where this is necessary and fairly and reasonably related to the development having full regard to the Infrastructure Delivery Plan Schedule and its wider infrastructure objectives.
  • Development proposals in North Weald Bassett will be expected to deliver and/or contribute proportionately towards infrastructure items as required, including:
    1. appropriate education provision including early years, primary school and secondary school places;
    2. appropriate provision of health facilities;
    3. the provision of walking and cycling facilities, providing linkages both within the site and to key destinations;
    4. enhancements to public transport provision or other initiatives which reduce the need to travel by car;
    5. highways and junction upgrades;
    6. upgrade and improvement of utility infrastructure including water, waste water, solid waste, gas, electricity and telecommunications where necessary; and
    7. improvements and provision of green and blue infrastructure and open space throughout the settlement.

Air Pollution

  • The development of sites within North Weald Bassett has the potential to produce air pollution that could impact upon air quality in the District, including the Epping Forest. All development proposals will need to demonstrate that they are in accordance with Policy DM2 and Policy DM22 and should have regard to the Council’s adopted Air Pollution Mitigation Strategy for the Epping Forest. This includes, where necessary, the provision of financial contributions for the purposes of implementing air pollution mitigation initiatives and undertaking air quality monitoring and any necessary future air quality assessments.

Recreational Pressure

  • Developments within North Weald Bassett which would result in a net increase in dwellings have the potential to result in recreational pressure on the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation. All such developments will need to demonstrate that they are in accordance with Policy DM2. This includes, where necessary, the provision of financial contributions towards mitigation and monitoring measures.

Flood Risk

  • Except for essential infrastructure and water compatible developments, no built development on residential allocations will be permitted on land within Flood Zones 2 and 3 as shown on the Council’s latest Strategic Flood Risk Assessment maps, including the appropriate allowance for climate change.

North Weald Bassett Masterplan Area

  • Planning applications for sites NWB.R1, NWB.R2, NWB.R3, NWB.R4, NWB.R5 and NWB.T1 should be accompanied by a Strategic Masterplan for the North Weald Bassett Masterplan Area which demonstrates that the development requirements set out in this Policy have been accommodated and which has been endorsed by the Council. The endorsed Strategic Masterplan will be taken into account as an important material consideration in the determination of any planning applications. M. In addition to the requirements set out above, the Strategic Masterplan must make provision for:
    1. a minimum of 1,050 homes and five traveller pitches;
    2. a local centre including, retail, community, and appropriate provision of health facilities;
    3. addressing surface water flooding;
    4. education provision including early years, primary school and secondary school places;
    5. adequate levels of public open space to be provided on the site;
    6. a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace, the location of which will be determined through the Strategic Masterplanning process;
    7. preserving or enhancing the special architectural or historic interest of the Grade II Listed Buildings at Bluemans Farm/Tyler’s Farmhouse and their settings;
    8. new and improved Public Rights of Way and cycle linkages with the surrounding area including East to West connectivity between the two Masterplan Areas;
    9. careful design and layout to ensure that where sensitive land uses are proposed near the intermediate High Pressure Gas Pipeline they accord with the requirements set out in the HSE’s Land Use Planning Methodology;
    10. the need to upgrade/widen the existing Vicarage Lane West access in order to ensure a safe access point which has sufficient capacity for the development it serves;
    11. the continued protection of those trees benefitting from a Tree Preservation Order, and other identified Veteran Trees; and
    12. strengthening of the existing field boundary along the Western edge of the Strategic Masterplan Area to form the defensible boundary to the Green Belt.
  • The Strategic Masterplan and subsequent applications should be considered and informed by the Quality Review Panel and be subject to public consultation, including in respect of Masterplans, consultation with all those with a development interest in the defined area.

North Weald Airfield Masterplan

  • Planning applications at North Weald Airfield should be accompanied by a Masterplan for the North Weald Airfield which demonstrates that the development requirements set out in this Policy have been accommodated and which has been endorsed by the Council. The endorsed Strategic Masterplan will be taken into account as an important material consideration in the determination of any planning applications.
  • In addition to the requirements set out in parts A-K the Strategic Masterplan must make provision for:
    1. community uses to the East of the main runway;
    2. retention and expansion of aviation uses to the West of the main runway;
    3. approximately ten hectares of additional employment land of B2, B8 offices, research and development and light industrial (within Use Class E) uses to the East;
    4. a new access from Epping Road to service the West of the site;
    5. preserving or enhancing the special architectural or historic interest of the Grade II listed Control Tower and its setting;
    6. a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace, the location of which will be determined through the Strategic Masterplanning process; and
    7. new and improved Public Rights of Way and cycle linkages with the surrounding area including East to West connectivity between the two Masterplan Areas.
  • The Strategic Masterplan and subsequent applications should be considered and informed by the Quality Review Panel and be subject to public consultation, including in respect of Masterplans, consultation with all those with a development interest in the defined area.

For more information please see the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033