Policy information sourced from the Waltham Forest Local Plan

81 Epping Forest and the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation

In line with the Green and Blue Spaces Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), the Council will protect and enhance the natural environment of the Epping Forest and its Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and seek to ensure that development proposals contribute to the avoidance and mitigation of adverse recreational and urban effects on the SAC by ensuring that:

A. All new residential development comprising 1 or more new home(s) within the 6.2km Zone of Influence (ZOI) of the boundary of the Epping Forest SAC (see the Policies Map) contributes to the delivery of:

  1. The Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy (SAMMS) in line with the mitigation measures agreed with the Conservators of Epping Forest and partner authorities; and
  2. The provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Spaces (SANGs), in most cases via Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding secured to make the necessary investment in open space.

B. Development proposals affecting Epping Forest and the Epping Forest SAC are sensitive and proportionate, that they deliver enhancements where possible and that they do not contribute to adverse impacts on ecological integrity, amenity or visitor enjoyment;

C. All planning applications and allocations of one new home or more in the 6.2km ZOI of the Epping Forest SAC demonstrate, through a project level Habitats and Regulations Assessment (HRA), that they will not generate adverse recreational pressure on the Epping Forest SAC.

D. Planning applications and allocations for development within 400m of the Epping Forest SAC demonstrate, through a project level Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA), that the development will not generate adverse urban effects on the integrity of the SAC.

For more information please see the Waltham Forest Local Plan