AFTER reading this week's lead story (Epping Forest Guardian, March 27 edition), I feel the article was strongly based in favour of Bellway Homes.
I, like many residents of Epping, am opposed to Bellway Homes' plans for a development of such a density that even Braintree, Chelmsford and Brentwood has never seen.
Local feeling is so strong that a campaign group has been formed.
On the front page you use a picture of what you state is the Bronx, NY.
From my knowledge of New York, the picture looks to be of New York circa late 1970s/early 1980s.
Whether this is correct or not, the picture is clearly of a site ready for redevelopment and has no comparison to the St Margaret's site.
There are plenty of sites you could have shown in east and south London to get the ghetto' over-development messages across. However, I feel the picture in question was used to discredit the "ghetto" tag placed on the proposed development.
You gave a lot of space to Bellway Homes' managing director; this is fine and only fair.
However, you conveniently forget to mention Bellway in its planning documents have been rather scheming about the details of the development.
Firstly they make reference to Coopersale as a "small" development, clearly to discredit it as a place in its own right. I'm sure you're aware that Coopersale is an old village.
Secondly, they have stated in their application documents that Epping station is in the High Street, to make the development seem close to local amenities.
Thirdly, Bellway Homes has gone on file stating that Epping is an "urban" area and can easily handle such a large development. Epping has fewer than 11,500 residents, and is the smallest of the big towns in the Epping Forest district. (Information from Epping Forest District Council).
Fourthly, Bellway Homes states there is adequate schooling in Epping for the new development, stating there are nine schools in the town, again another lie!
You quote the opinion of a lady from Ongar, which I see as totally irrelevant as Ongar is many miles from Epping and will not be affected by the development.
Speaking as an ex-Ongar resident myself, the only reason Ongar residents use Epping is for the tube. Otherwise Harlow and Brentwood are used for everyday needs etc.
George Rhodes, (by email).
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