Councillor Judith Jennings, a York Hill Resident, spoke of her year as Loughton’s Town Mayor at the annual meeting of Hills Amenity Society held at Gardeners Arms, York Hill on Thursday 19 May and urged closer co-operation between the Town Council and the Society.

In his report the chairman, Stephen Cohen, highlighted the work of the society on planning issues, street lighting, parking, litter and community building through the autumn lunch, this year attended by more than 40 residents, and the picnic on York Hill Green.

A highlight of the year had been the joint project between Essex County Council, Loughton Town Council, the City Corporation and the Hills Amenity Society to erect an orientation plaque at the top of York Hill Green – a project proposed by the Society to mark its formation 40 years earlier.  The plaque had both a civic and a society unveiling, the latter performed by Councillor Jennings before the autumn lunch at Gardeners Arms (pictured).

 

Perhaps the greatest disappointment had been the Inspector’s overruling of district council rejection of plans for a new development adjacent to Woodberrie, the prominent corner site of Woodbury and Kings Hill.  Proposals to develop the site with four houses in 1972 had been the spur to form the Society following a number of unpopular hoping developments in Baldwins Hill and York Hill during the 1960s.

Treasurer Peter Wynn reported that a series of unusual items, including a dip in subscription revenue,  had combined to create a small deficit in the year’s accounts for the year ends 31 March 2016.  However subscription revenue looked more promising this year and had already exceeded last years’ figure.

He reported:

Income from subs last year was £373.00 and has been gradually declining over the last 3 or 4 years. However to date this year we have had subs payments from 80 residents amounting to £413.00 with a couple paying a supplementary donation and a couple paying the old amount of £4.00.

Expenditure for the year was rather more than usual due to various factors- an increase of 25% in cost of insurance,  rather more printing costs than in previous years, purchase of a printer for use of the planning representative to name a few.

We are very grateful and fortunate that the newsletters are produced free of charge by one of our residents, Marcus Warren of the OMM group. Without this assistance the newsletter would be a much less attractive production so thank you indeed Marcus.

The committee will be looking into ways of either reducing expenditure or generating more revenue to ensure continuity of the society.

In her address Councillor Jennings said:

 

What Does the Mayor Actually Do?

My name is Judy Jennings and I am the current Mayor of Loughton. I am a Loughton Town councillor and last May I was elected to be Mayor by the other members of the Town Council. I have been the Mayor for eight months and during that time I have carried out 68 engagements, not a bad record, but people have often asked me “but what does the Mayor actually do?” so I will try to give you a brief explanation of what goes on in a Mayor’s year.

My first role is to chair Council meetings. I make sure that all councillors are involved in the discussions and that they have an opportunity to speak and keep to the point (sometimes a challenging task). I have to ensure that the decisions taken by the council are lawful and effective.

I also represent the Council at official events such as those put on by the City of London, Epping Forest District Council, and other neighbouring local councils.

You may have seen me in all my finery at official functions in the town or spotted me shopping in the High Road or having a cup of coffee with a friend in one of our many cafes or bistros. What a contrast! I look quite different!

And no, there is no clothes allowance or official limo. It is lucky I like to walk!

As Town Mayor I have attended many local charitable events and also represent the Town Council at important ceremonies that the Town organizes for its residents.

Many Charities benefit from a visit by the Mayor enabling them to raise their profile in the community.

I have attended events organised by the St. Clare Hospice, Chigwell Riding Trust, Restore Centre, Abbeyfield Society, Loughton Voluntary Care and the Jack Petchey Awards.

The Town Council and the Loughton Residents Association Councillors make sure that they support the local community and in addition to their other duties they organise many important events where the Mayor takes a central role representing the Council.

This year’s events have included Remembrance Sunday, the Dedication of new names on the War Memorial and the Commemoration of the falling of the first bomb in the London Civil Defence Area, which was marked by the dedication of a lovely planter in The Drive.

These events mean so much to Loughton families and I am glad to be able to show my respect by attending and saying a few words at these moving ceremonies.

The Town Council also organizes a number of local competitions, such as Best Allotment, Best Christmas Card design, Best Christmas Window Display in a local Shop and these are great fun for the Mayor as I get to go around Loughton meeting people and finally helping to judge the winners and award the prizes.

In the Spring I lit a beacon for the Queen’s birthday on the 21^st April and also dedicated a plaque in memory of Ruth Rendell, the author of the famous Inspector Wexford stories.

I am also busy making final preparations for the annual Civic Awards Service when we honour Loughton’s Citizen of the Year in a very unique ceremony with guests including the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, a soprano soloist, a Brass Band Ensemble, a children’s choir and of course our local citizens.

And so you see that the Town Mayor’s role is not just to cut silken ribbons and pat little babies on the head. I look forward to those things very much but it has not happened yet.

I chose The Lopping Hall and Loughton Voluntary Care as my Mayor’s charities and also raised funds for St. Clare’s Hospice. This was raised as part of Loughton Town Council’s Charity events that I attended.

I write my own speeches for the events that I attend. I prepare for Council meetings by liaising beforehand with the Town Clerk and making notes on what I am going to say.

I read the agendas carefully and note who might like to speak and make notes on any questions that might arise during the meetings.

I also read the briefing notes on the events that I am to attend so that I understand what the event is about and so that I know whom to to greet when I arrive and whom to thank when I leave.

I do like to prepare for each event carefully as I know what hard work goes into these events and how important it is to the organisers that these things run smoothly are enjoyed by everybody.

You have asked me about the role of HAS in relation to the Council

The HAS can play a vital role in the future of Loughton by contributing to the Local Plan.

The Town Council needs your contribution by perhaps a membership survey or by setting up a workshop to put forward what your vision for the future development of the area might be.

Members of HAS or their representative are welcome to attend Planning meetings and are able to speak at meetings for a maximum of three minutes providing they make sure they inform the Town Clerk before the agenda is set.

The Town Council would like to hear your views on the Local Plan

 

 

 

 

 

Despite some optimism that new signage may be working, sadly not in this case.  Writes resident Peter Wynn, who took the pictures: “More nonsense …….at York Hill/Queens Road/Staples Road junction last Tuesday morning (26/4).  Irish Reg on trailer, Dutch reg on tractor and Rumanian driver! Proper united nations”

In recent weeks planning applications have cast their shadow over the green green Loughton Hills with a score of two refusals – and one landmark appeal which gave the go-ahead for development after some 46 years.

The first refusal at appeal was for the development of a 10 home housing estate on the site of Trevelyan House, Arewater Green, abutting the Loughton Potato Fields with access off the A121 opposite Englands Lane.

The second refusal, this time by the local authority, was for a new house on land to the rear of 25 Staples Road, rejected “by reason of the location, design, height and bulk of the proposed new house, the proposed dwelling would fail to complement or enhance the Staples Road Conservation Area or respect the street scene which consequently would be harmful to the character and appearance of the locality. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy CP2, DBE1, HC6 and HC7 of the Adopted Local Plan and Alterations (which are consistent with policies contained within the National Planning Policy Framework).”  This application may yet go to appeal.

The shock was the overturning of 46 years of opposition by the local authority to the development of land adjoining Woodberrie, a landmark house on Woodbury Hill.  Hills Amenity Society was formed in 1972 following the development of five chalet-type houses on the corner site of Woodbury Hill and York Hill followed by an application for four properties on the site of Woodberrie, which occupies the next corner of Woodbury Hill and Kings Hill. A number of applications over the ensuing 40 years were successfully opposed by Hills Amenity Society, local residents, town and district councils.  A recent application was taken to appeal for a new house to the east of Woodberrie and this has been upheld by the Inspector giving the go-ahead for a new property.  Is this the end of the story – or just the start of a new chapter?  And what does it mean for the future of the Hills.

County Councillor Chris and Councillor Mrs. Caroline Pond assess where we are:

The Government is very pro-housing-growth, and successive ministers have tweaked the planning laws to favour development rather than the prevention of development. Conservation areas are still protected, but the likelihood still is that, whatever local councillors decide, a challenge may be mounted with the Planning Inspectorate, and that is ever more likely to be successful. Local planning officers may also be more inclined to recommend an application (say, for an additional house on a large plot or a massive extension) for approval, which means the job of those resisting it, whether resident/amenity groups or cllrs, is made more difficult.

Needless to say, if an application is approved, those who were against it have no right of appeal. This is an inherent unfairness in the system.

As far as the Hills’ three conservation areas are concerned, there are two main dangers. These are infilling of spare and side plots, and the development of the Green Belt parcels to the west of Woodbury Hill, those large gardens abutting the Forest. A third might be added, which is the planting of buildings of design unsympathetic to the genius loci (sense of place) of the area.

Infilling

The 2016 inspector’s decision to allow a new house approximately on the site of Woodberrie’s garage was an example of this. With Loughton land values established at £4 million an acre (by the sale of the RVHS tennis courts elsewhere in the town), the value of a side or corner plot is now immense. New houses tend to have pocket-handkerchief sized gardens because of this high land value, so that means the sense of spaciousness established by what 100 years ago were ordinary gardens of a sixth of an acre or more is compromised. The new house to be built next to Woodberrie was not of an offensive design, but it would arguably still detract both from the amenity of neighbours, by its relative proximity, and from the general pleasantness of the area. There is a current proposal to build in the CA in what was the rear garden of 25 Staples Rd. That was refused by an inspector once before; we shall have to see what happens to this application, which is without vehicular access, given the recent changes in planning law.

Land to the west of Woodbury Hill

The Government seem to be keen at present on additions to built up areas. The very large plots of houses on the west side of Woodbury Hill, from Woodbury Hollow to Dryads Hall inclusive, are in green belt. They were lands enclosed from the Forest in the early 19c, possibly illegally, and some are still heavily wooded. The reasons for maintaining land in Green Belt are established in planning law, and include “protecting the setting of historic towns” – but unfortunately not the setting of a conservation area. These lands are therefore vulnerable, and their loss would greatly affect the setting of the York Hill CA.

Buildings of unsympathetic design

Architects at present seem to be following a fashion for bizarre buildings. You can of course get more for your money by building a concrete and glass construction than by traditional methods, especially as bricklayers are a shortage trade. Because the Hills areas, with the exception of Staples Rd, are a real mixture of styles, it is difficult to resist a building on the grounds of incongruent style. Whilst one can accept that in every generation there may be a building of real merit and real novelty erected, the run of the mill modern building is likely to be an intrusion in the design of the Hills CAs, but it can be very difficult to convince the Conservation Officer and planning inspectors of that.

With the two new buildings added to Staples Rd school, the firms of architects concerned did try to adapt and reflect the styles of the CAs, with (eg) pitched roofs, polychrome brickwork, and diapered tile hanging. The 2015 building won the Loughton Design Award on the basis of being a modern variant on the traditional idiom. The fallback position is that conservation area status does not preclude new development, but it should always “conserve and enhance” the area.

The Hills have always been active on planning matters, and have a good reputation with EFDC. The price of conservation is eternal vigilance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two events coincided to cause the closure of York Hill and chaos to Loughton High Road. The blocked sewer (top) initially showed itself in one property but after extensive excavation proved to be the main sewer in York Hill.  The burst main (picture below) occurred on School Green at the York Hill, Staples Road, Queens Road junction.

And would you believe it….?…within a week or two to everything getting back to normal someone tipped a load of fat and blocked a main drain on York Hill which then caused more problems when Storm Katie turned the hill into a river and caused the usual problems for homes on the Hill.  Bin it – Don’t Block it as Thames Water would say!

 

Mayor Judy Jennings was there with a few kind words of Congratulations to all those who had worked to achieve the p;aqua and the sprucing up of the York Hill Green which accompanied the two ceremonies, the first organised by the Town Council on the previous Thursday and the second exclusively by Hills Amenity Society for local residents and members of the Society.

Hills Committee chairman Stephen Cohen welcomed the gathering before asking the Mayor to say a few words.  He then invited all present to join the Hills Committee for lunch during which he presented John and Mary Lowe of 22 Baldwins Hill with the shield for the best front garden in 2015. He said the trophy is awarded to bring focus to the importance of well-maintained front gardens to the general appearance of the Hills Conservation Areas.

 

Our pictures show Loughton Town Mayor, Judy Jennings with designer of the plaque, Daniel Wallis with committee member Peter Wynn looking on; John and Mary Lowe of 22 Baldwins Hill with Hills Chairman Stephen Cohen; and(top) lunch in the Gardeners Arms.

 

 

It was a moment to savour.  The Chairman of Essex County Council, the Mayor, representatives of the Corporation – and the Hills Amenity Society.

All there to see the fulfilment of a dream to unveil a plaque recording the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Society in 1972.  No matter that it had taken some four years from inception through patient persuasion to unveiling.  The plaque was finally there – and looking pretty amazing at the popular viewing spot at the top of York Hill.

An idea which evolved from a suggestion at a Hills Committee meeting, picked up and run with by chairman Stephen Cohen, made real and visible with drawings by his designer friend Daniel Wallis, adopted and supported by County Councillor Chris Pond through Town, District and County, aided by Forest Commissioner Richard Morris – painstakingly the pieces fell into place as the project wound its way through the labyrinths of authority.

Gradually the idea became “a project” which helped it gain traction.  “Community Funding Initiative”…that sounded good.  Not just a plaque but other long campaigned-for items such as replacing and re-bedding the bollards alongside York Hill Green – and, while we are at it, repaint the ironwork, scrub down the road signs, repair the verges.

And what a result.  Many of the cottages alongside the green have been spruced up in the last year or two, all now having their fences repaired or replaced and painted and no tithe Gardeners Arms is being spruced up, too.

Well done Stephen and Daniel, Councillor Pond, Commissioner Richard Morris, the Town Council, County Council, City Corporation and Forest Commissioners….and the Hills Amenity Association.

Our pictures from top: County Council Chairman Norman Hume, Town Mayor Judith Jennings and County Councillor Chris Pond after the unveiling of the plaque; the permanent record of the partnership which made it all happen: the Corporation of London, Essex County Council, the Town Council and Hills Amenity Society; the bollards along York Hill green looking spick and span at last;
Video clip of unveiling P1013695; ..and not forgetting the heroic chaps who did all the work.  Well done lads!

Mayor recalls romantic moment on York Hill

In her address Mayor Judith said: “Welcome to the York Hill Conservation Area and this picturesque green with its dramatic view over London.  This is a very popular destination for local residents and tourists particularly in the summer who come to enjoy the panorama.

 

 

Loughton Town Mayor Judy Jennings (pictured) will unveil the plaque organised and championed by Hills Amenity Society at the top of York Hill at a Town Council unveiling on Thursday 12 November at 10.30am. The project has been led by Hills Committee chairman Stephen Cohen.

 

When the last of the businesses left the single story offices on the corner of York Hill and Kings Green metal shutters went up (and much used evening parking space lost). Since when all has been silence. Any information on the future proposals for this site gratefully received…..

 

An application to develop Trevelyan House and its adjoining buildings into a mini estate of 10 homes on the site which abuts the Potato Field allotments has gone to appeal.  The plans were rejected by Epping Forest DC. At its meeting the Hills Amenity Society had expressed concern that access to the site might be sought via Church Hill and Monkchester Close, a route which would almost certainly impinge on allotment land.  The development would also create a “development bridge” between Baldwins Hill via Stony Path and the almshouses.

Woodberrie, Woodbury Hill. Plans to demolish an existing garage and erect a two storey extension to the existing dwelling house were rejected by Epping Forest DC.  The proposal has now gone to appeal.

And some other planning applications at October 2014

62 Queens Road Single storey front extension.

36 Queens Road Proposed front and rear dormer extensions all below the level of the existing house ridge but including raising of the side hip to gable. Front dormer position over existing bay set back to align with the adjacent new proposed front dormer.

Landscapes

29 Woodbury Hill Proposed single-storey rear extension (garden room) with internal alterations and proposed garage and extension to existing outbuilding

76 Queens Road Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of a single storey rear extension with a roof lantern. Alterations to fenestration to include enlargement of existing windows at first and ground floor south-west flank elevation.

4 Pump Hill Single storey front extension, reduce level of basement, raised rear deck, reduced levels in garden and changes to rear windows.

2 Wroths Path Conversion of storage areas and single storey rear extension following demolition of of existing rear addition.Alterations to front elevation include new windows ground floor and new porch.