The Hills Amenity Society was formed in 1972 to preserve, protect, develop and improve features of both historic and public interest and to promote higher standards of planning and design in keeping with existing amenities and the rural character of the area. The three Loughton conservation areas are York Hill, Staples Road and Baldwins Hill. In addition to maintaining this website, publishing a six-monthly newsletter and keeping updated a Facebook Page HillsWatch the Society organises social events such as special occasion picnics, autumn lunch and open meeting and AGM. It awards a prize for the best kept front garden, monitors planning and has been responsible for carrying out detailed appraisals of the three areas, subsequently absorbed into now formally adopted appraisals by Epping Forest District Council
1972-2022
Golden Jubilee year
Who we are and what we do….
Fifty years old this year (2022), the Hills Amenity Society was formed in 1972 to preserve, protect, develop and improve features of both historic and public interest and to promote higher standards of planning and design in keeping with existing amenities and the rural character of the area. The three Loughton conservation areas are York Hill, Staples Road and Baldwins Hill. In addition to maintaining this website, publishing a six-monthly newsletter and keeping updated a Facebook Page HillsWatch the Society organises social events such as special occasion picnics, autumn lunch and open meeting and AGM. It awards a prize for the best kept front garden, monitors planning and has been responsible for carrying out detailed appraisals of the three areas, subsequently absorbed into now formally adopted appraisals by Epping Forest District Council.
‘The existence of the conservation areas benefit just through the attention Hills Amenity Society brings to the area through its almost 50 years of work.’ Richard Morris OBE, Loughton Historian
Join our Facebook page HillsWatch and help keep Hills Conservation Areas safe and keep up with the news
Our latest news can be found in our eNewsletter here
Responding to the concerns of
many residents, Hills Amenity Society is offering an
inexpensive and visible way to discourage speeding in the conservation areas. As one resident puts it: “we have so many people speed as fast as they possibly can down our stretch of hill, some cars get up to about 60-70mph!!!” For your FREE sticker contact hillsamenitysociety@gmail.com. See more
Hills plaque unveiled in Council ceremony
Is weight Ban stopping the juggernauts?
All three appraisals now adopted – and allotments included
Appraisals prepared by Hills Amenity Society and adapted by the district council have now been approved and adopted, the most significant change being the inclusion of Loughton Potato Ground – probably just in time.
What we do
For 50 years the Society has undertaken a number of functions and services. It aims to:
Present a unified voice to the authorities
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Present a unified voice to the authorities
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Maintain contact with local authorities, police and other services.
Review local planning applications. -
Provide a public AGM and Open Forum with talks by guest speakers.
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Host a summer garden trophy competition.
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Provide an informal Autumn lunch.
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Lobby successfully for local enhancement.
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Deliver newsletters to members, also sent digitally and available online.
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Post information on the notice board at Potters Close.
It has also published a Discovery Trail with a Map of the area, copies of which are usually available on the noticeboard at the corner of York Hill and Potters Close as well as on this website, and initiated a number of environmental improvements, including the replacement of the concrete lampposts, the installation of wooden bollards to protect the greens from vehicle damage, the renovation of the Pump Hill pump, as well as undertaking projects to maintain the area’s hedges and footpaths. Photographic exhibitions and a Gardens Open Day have also been successful additions to the events calendar.