The proposed development of green belt areas has long been a source of frustration for residents of Theydon Bois, with Epping Forest District Council's 'draft local plan' setting out large portions of nearby fields and green spaces to be the location of many new homes. However, this is an issue that affects the entirety of the Epping Forest area, as 11,400 homes have been advised by the government in order to meet the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's targets. This means that each town and village must accommodate new housing, but the distribution of these developments has faced widespread criticism and outcry from residents. People are angry.

In Theydon Bois, residents have campaigned for years to prevent the building of housing estates on the green belt. The 'Theydon Bois Action Group' argues that "Theydon Bois and its village character are dependent on our surrounding Green Belt. This is what makes Theydon the special place we all enjoy living in. If the Green Belt boundaries around our village are altered to allow for development, Theydon Bois will be changed forever."

However, the concerns of Theydon Bois residents will inevitably meet with little sympathy from the residents of Ongar, Epping, North Weald and others, who's already large housing allocations would have to increase in order to make up for losses in and around Theydon. There are many factors that have made Theydon Bois such an attractive location for developers, primarily its tube line location, which allows people to commute to work easily from a relatively rural setting. The area also has a long history of maintaining its rural village feel, there is still a notable absence of streetlights across the area and this is largely due to the efforts of local people. Although, the TBAG argues that this is even more reason to prevent housing development, saying there is a threat that the village could end up 'becoming a town' if plans go ahead.

Epping Forest District Council is due to publish its revised plans in the upcoming weeks, and there is no doubt that there will be some who feel cheated by the outcome. The struggle for an ideal world may end in a few tears, however, from the evidence of the past few years, it's clear that no group will cease to campaign for the good of its residents, their homes and their futures.

Max Bolton - Debden Park High School