Epping: Council to inject £5 million into boosting homes in the borough

Epping Forest District Council is currently consulting on a scheme to invest millions in boosting the provision of housing in the borough.

Councillors presented a number of new sites in Epping in which new council houses could be built.

In total there were 12 sites in towns and villages across the district where new developments could be constructed. The council said that six of those areas could provide up to 185 dwellings.

The announcement comes as the council launched a £5 million scheme to provide 31 flats or more on the site of the council depot in Burton Road off the Broadway in Loughton. It claims that six small sites could accommodate another 26 homes for local people.

In a cabinet meeting, recommendations to develop plans for various sites spread around the district’s towns and villages on a rotational basis were approved.

This means that all areas will now be able to benefit from new affordable housing.

Plans to build homes in areas with the highest concentration of housing applicants were also approved. 

The council also announced that it will prioritise the development of properties on sites that can deliver the greatest numbers of new homes, compared to those where fewer developments can take place.

In addition to the building of new homes, the local authority put forward plans to improve its existing stock of affordable housing.

These will include schemes designed to revamp communal kitchens in their properties, replace fire doors and build new accommodation for homeless people in the area.

The council has also consulted local residents and businesses on proposals to improve parking in the borough by introducing new tariffs for short and long-stay pay and display car parks.

In addition to developing new homes, proposals were also made to boost mental health services in the borough. Melanie Crass of the local Mental Health Services of the West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group outlined a strategic vision to improve local mental health services in Epping. 

Published 11th March, 2014

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