Ben Murphy on keeping Epping Forest for future generations | Epping Forest Guardian
Epping Forest’s future depends on strong public partnerships, alongside policies from government which will help protect this asset for future generations.
Part of the City of London Corporation’s role as conservator is to provide a clear, central voice to politicians and policy makers on issues impacting Epping Forest.
The forest’s superintendent and I recently met with the MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, and discussed the government’s new National Planning Policy Framework – and the impact such a rapid growth in housing will have on the Forest.
We talked about the need for greater fines for those who fly-tip and the impacts of climate change – from new pests and diseases to flood risks, fire and drought.
Sir Iain was pleased to walk along the new Brambly Hedge trail and see the Gloucester Ride path we are building to improve the visitor experience and help protect the ground across this Special Area of Conservation.
The Epping Forest Charity has also recently partnered with the MP for Leyton and Wanstead, Calvin Bailey, and the leader of Redbridge Council to express concerns about the unauthorised sewage discharge by Thames Walter into the Alders Brook tributary, which feeds Wanstead Park.
Monitoring by Thames21 and the River Roding Trust has revealed unsafe levels of E coli and intestinal enterococci bacteria, which they suggest sometimes exceeds safe limits by more than 20 times.
Together, we have called on Thames Water to prioritise and expedite remedial work and ensure adequate funding is allocated to address this urgent environmental issue.
And we are continuing to work with Waltham Forest Council and the Environment Agency on the River Ching Action Plan, which has 27 specific improvement projects to tackle pollution and boost wildlife.
The superintendent and I have had discussions with the leader of Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) and the MP for Epping Forest, Dr Neil Hudson, on the potential impact of devolution for Essex, the output of air quality monitoring reports and the success of joint operations between EFDC, Essex Police and Epping Forest Keepers to address antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping.
All of this is in addition to the work our team do, responding to daily planning and licensing requests.
As Conservators, we recognise the need for housing in London and the southeast and have worked for many years to help create suitable Local Plan with our neighbouring councils. We were pleased that the representations we made in response to the South Epping Master Plan Area has resulted in amendments, including provision of a ‘Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG)’.
For 150 years, the City of London Corporation has successfully drawn upon its world-leading team of planners and lawyers, its deep-rooted relationships with policy makers, and its partnership with commercial enterprise to protect and enhance Epping Forest as a national treasure… long may it continue!
Ben Murphy, Chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee.
