Everything Epping Forest everythingeppingforest.co.uk covers the Epping Forest district in Essex and features regularly updated news - in words and pictures - has a what's on listings section to highlight local events, a Local Business Directory and a section which allows clubs and organisations to publicise their activities free of charge Home | News | Sport | Your News Views | Events - What's On Diary | Clubs - Organisations | Local Business Directory | Jobs | Food & Drink Wednesday, 1 August, 2018 News Archive click here Sport Archive click here Tell us your news... Publicise your event... Promote your business... Have your say... Buy copies of photos that appear here... email: [email protected] tel: David Jackman on 07710 447868 01/08/2018 Everything Epping Forest LOCAL PLAN: High Court dismisses Local Plan challenge 8.43am - 30th June 2018 THE High Court has dismissed the legal challenge to the Epping Forest District Council Local Plan paving the way for the council to submit the Local Plan to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination. The Court rejected all four grounds of challenge brought by property development company CK Properties (Theydon Bois) Ltd - owner of the Old Foresters site in Theydon Bois which was excluded from the Plan - endorsing the lawfulness of the council's decision to approve the Local Plan for 11,400 new homes over the Plan period up to 2033. Planning portfolio holder councillor John Philip described the Court’s decision as "good news" and the positive outcome is also seen as vindication of the council’s approach by council leader Chris Whitbread. Mr Philip said: "The production of the Local Plan is possibly the most difficult thing the council has ever had to do. "The issues involved in planning for growth in the district are very sensitive and, inevitably, emotions often run high, but the Court has endorsed the council’s approach having scrutinised the decision-making process." Mr Whitbread said: "As councillors we take a balanced view between the protection of the character of the district we love and the need to provide decent homes for local people. "We burnt a great deal of ‘midnight oil’ to understand and balance complex issues while collectively studying and guiding the evolution of the Plan through workshops, meetings and engagement before making some really difficult decisions." Mr Philip added: "I hope CK Properties will see the sense of the Court’s judgment and pursue their arguments through the Local Plan Examination process which has always been the proper place to air their concerns, and spare Council Tax payers any additional expense by resorting to the legal appeal process." LOCAL PLAN: Action group welcomes court ruling 8.43am - 30th June 2018 THEYDON Bois Action Group says it is "delighted" that the challenge brought by property development company CK Properties (Theydon Bois) Ltd has been dismissed. In a statement, the action group said: "While Epping Forest District Council's Submission Version Local Plan has been delayed for three months from being sent to the Planning Inspector, we are hopeful it will now be submitted as soon as is possible. "TBAG is of the firm opinion that there should be no development to the east of the railway line (in Theydon Bois) in accordance with the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework and that the railway line presents a clear physical feature that is readily recognisable and likely to be a permanent boundary with the Green Belt to the east of our village." DISTRICT: Court decision "hardly good news" for Loughton residents 8.43am - 30th June 2018 THE High Court's decision to dismiss a legal challenge against the Epping Forest District Council Local Plan is "hardly good news" for Loughton residents, according to Independent councillor Stephen Murray. He said: "The fact that Epping Forest District Council can go ahead with its current plan is hardly good news for the people of Loughton who are still under the threat of losing one of the few remaining greens in the Debden part of Loughton namely Jessel Green. 01/08/2018 Everything Epping Forest "Here in Loughton the very strong feeling is that absolutely no balance was shown by the district council majority group in how Jessel Green was being treated as compared to other important greens in other parts of the district such as Chigwell or Theydon Bois. "I would urge all supporters of the Save the Jessel Green grassroots campaign to attend the community fun day on Sunday, July 15, between noon and 4pm to send a further very clear message to the district council." CHIGWELL: Chigwell Primary Academy gets 'good' inspection report 2.02pm - 29th June 2018 CHIGWELL Primary Academy is celebrating an Ofsted judgement of 'Good' following an inspection last month. The school, which has been part of the REAch2 family of schools since September 2015, was rated 'Good' in all categories. Chigwell Primary Academy joined REAch2 when it was put into 'Special Measures' while part of Essex County Council. Inspectors note that leaders show an absolute determination to improve all aspects of the school’s performance. In addition they state that pupils’ work is of a consistently high standard and they are well prepared for the next stage of their education,. the quality of teaching is good because leaders and REAch2 provide the right level of training and support, and teachers plan exciting lessons which motive pupils. The report also highlights that pupils enjoy school, with the great majority attending regularly. Pupils are proud of their work, are curious and enjoy learning about new things and have positive attitudes to learning with the confidence to tackle challenging tasks. Inspectors also state that pupils are resilient and willing to use their reasoning to solve problems and are well- motivated to do well. Pupils were keen to talk to inspectors about their achievements and most were overwhelmingly positive about the school. One pupil said: "School is one of my most favourite places to be." Pupils feel safe and trust staff to look after them well. They are polite, well behaved and keen to do well, the report adds. Following the Ofsted judgement, Chigwell will be embarking on a major £5m refurbishment programme which will include a new build replacing the Victorian buildings which have fallen into a poor state of repair. The rest of the school is undergoing a full refurbishment with classrooms furnished to a high specification. Work will begin over the summer holidays and be completed by July 2020. Executive headteacher Elaine Brook said: "I am incredibly proud of our children and what they achieve, and the Ofsted report reflects their successes. "My team have worked extremely hard and it is testament to their dedication and commitment that we have secured this 'Good' rating. "There is always more to do, but the report really does reflect the amazing journey to date. "The new build and refurbishment marks the next chapter for us, and promises an even brighter future for all children at Chigwell." REAch2 CEO Sir Steve Lancashire said: "It takes a huge effort to turn a school around once it has been put into 'Special Measures' and I am absolutely delighted that the hard work of Elaine and her team has been recognised by Ofsted. "At REAch2 we passionately believe in an education that provides exceptional opportunities to learn and Chigwell is a fantastic example of this. "Huge congratulations to the whole Chigwell team!" COOPERSALE: Housebuilder gives gardening equipment to school 12.02pm - 28th June 2018 PUPILS at Coopersale and Theydon Garnon Primary School have been given a helping hand with a donation of a gardening kit to encourage more of them to get outdoors. Housebuilder CALA Homes has given the school gardening tools and accessories, including spades, trowels, forks, leaf and soil rakes and gloves. Headteacher Dale Bateman said: "We are thrilled with this kind donation which is a great way to get the children more involved in gardening. "Children can learn new skills, have fun and develop self-confidence by spending time in the garden which is something we actively encourage. "This new equipment will help get the children engaged with the school gardens as well as create a more attractive environment for everyone to enjoy.” HASTINGWOOD: Investigation launched into scrap yard blaze 11.50am - 28th June 2018 AN investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of a major blaze which broke out at a scrap yard at Hastingwood. Four fire crews - from Harlow, Old Harlow and Epping - spent more than five hours tackling the fire which broke out at premises off Foster Street at about 6.30pm last night. The Essex Fire and Rescue Service received dozens of 999 calls from people reporting the fire as plumes of 01/08/2018 Everything Epping Forest smoke could be seen from the nearby M11. When fire crews arrived they reported that the fire involved a number of scrap cars and a large quantity of wood which was stacked in numerous piles around the yard. An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman this morning said that the cause of the fire will be investigated. DISTRICT: Cheque presentation to Diabetes UK 1.25pm - 26th June 2018 A CHEQUE for £2,388 has been presented to Diabetes UK by last year's Epping Forest District Council chairman Dave Stallan. The charity was one of the causes to benefit from the £5,000-plus which was raised by Mr Stallan during his year in office. Mr Stallan, who handed over the chain of office and retired from being a North Weald district council in May, presented the cheque - with the help of his wife, Sue, and daughter, Amy - to Diabetes UK regional fundraiser (eastern) Teresa Strange today (Tuesday).