The “Save Jessel Green” support group is urging as many local people as possible to attend an extraordinary meeting of Epping District Council planned for the 14th December.
The campaigning group are striving to prevent proposals in the district’s draft local plan from becoming a reality. The draft plan, which was published for consultation last year, proposes building new homes on the popular open space in Debden which forms part of the Green Belt.
Angered local residents formed the protest group in response to the consultation, arguing it was undemocratic and hadn’t taken their concerns into account.
Now the group are desperate for Epping Forest District Councillors to see how fiercely the local community want to defend their recreation space. Over 2000 of their followers on Facebook have been invited to attend the meeting at the council offices to show their opposition to the plans.
The meeting will be for Councillors to decide on the final report of the district’s local plan. The plan, which maps out areas for housing development is required from every local authority in order to meet the Government’s housing targets.
Epping Forest District Council is required to build 514 houses every year over the next ten years. Critically, if the plan is not approved by Spring next year, the council will be penalised and required to meet a new target of 923 homes every year over ten years.
Local resident and campaigner Sandra Smith said; “We have had lots of support from our ward councillors but now it’s really important that the whole council hear our voices before they decide on the final version of the plan. We urge everyone who cares about protecting the green belt to write to their local councillor about this. A large number of residents will also be attending the meeting to show our opposition.”
The meeting will be held on the 14th December at 6pm at the civic offices in Epping. It will also be webcast live to the internet.
Amelie Ashton, Debden Park High School
