HOUSING sales in the district have fallen by more than half in the last two years.

Figures published by prospective Conservative MP for Harlow and Nazeing, Robert Halfon, show the extent of the collapse of the housing market across the Epping Forest District.

National figures so far for 2009 show that even sharper falls have happened this year.

Across the district there were 1,410 housing sales in 2008 compared to 3,230 in 2006 - a fall of 56 per cent.

The Government's Land Registry is planning to increase fees in July for those registering a new house or buying an official property search.

Mr Halfon said: "The new figures expose how Gordon Brown's recession has sent the Epping Forest housing market into free-fall.

"It is incredibly short-sighted for Labour Ministers to increase red tape on the housing market in the middle of a recession and make it even worse.

"We need action to revive the market, by reducing moving costs for home owners and giving extra help to help first-time buyers get onto the housing ladder."

James Sear, owner of James Sear Estate Agents on Epping High Street said they have felt the impact of decreased sales.

He added: "I would say that a 56 per cent drop in sales is about right. Property prices have also dropped by about 13 per cent in the last year, which would encourage first time buyers elsewhere, but there aren't many first time buyers in Epping.

"We have been affected of course, and we've had to keep our expenses down and keep battling on. What we are selling is enough to survive, but we are not making big profits at the moment.

"It's just started to improve very gradually and it's a case of holding out until things get better."