Chigwell parish council has released their draft plans for Chigwell for the next 15 years. However, they cannot execute the operation without the town’s consent. Will we be won over by their plans? Or will the council have to rethink their strategies?
The parish council have taken three years to produce the plans; there are a tonne of proposals that are aimed to be completed by 2030, if the town votes into the scheme. There has been an approximation of over 400 new homes to be built, mostly in Chigwell village. Ten more community sites in the area, and a brand new multi-purpose village hall for Chigwell row. They say that the plans will increase employment opportunities
The council is planning to accomplish this by optimising and intensifying the existing urban brownfield land by building flats in the place of houses.
These plans may seem very promising to some, however, a petition was signed by hundreds of residents to stop the building of 1250 new houses in the area. The whole town had strong views about building on the green belt and strictly forbid it. Mr Sudra previously said, ‘There will be utter chaos, we cannot go through with it.’ Epping council are trying to overcome this problem by building flats and apartments on existing land, therefore optimising existing urban brownfield land and completely preserving greenland. Current residents of Chigwell seem to be more inviting to the new plans, ‘If they stick to the plan, it looks like we will have a brighter, happier future.’ Said Ms Green. On the other hand, Mr Martin said, ‘The council have already tried to build new homes, but failed; now they are trying to persuade us again. It’s not happening!’
A change will also come to all the surrounding areas. Hainault, Clayhall, Barkingside, Loughton and Epping will all be affected by the new plans. There will be more traffic for commuters more residents and on trains. However, surrounding areas will have much more business and interest, making the areas more reputable, recognised and remembered, attracting bigger business owners.
Before the council proceed with the plans, they must have a referendum for the residents of Chigwell to vote either for or against the plans to be put into place. There is a fifty/fifty chance of the plans going ahead, but no one can truly predict which way it will sway. It is all in the hands of the residents of Chigwell…
To conclude, the council have prepared some innovative ideas for the town to make it more modern and recognisable for the future. However, the residents of Chigwell aren’t familiar with changes. Are we going to vote in or out of the scheme? Only time can tell.
