Approval Secured for Sustainable Family Housing Scheme in Epping Forest

We are delighted to have successfully secured permission to replace a long-empty bungalow in Epping Forest with two modern family homes – after a determined planning journey that included a dismissed appeal and a triumphant follow-up application.

The original planning application to redevelop the disused bungalow on Old Nazeing Road was refused by Epping Forest District Council under delegated powers in March 2024.

Our team appealed the decision and, while the Planning Inspector agreed with the core grounds the team put forward, the appeal was ultimately dismissed after a previously unraised issued relating to the impact upon the immediate neighbour’s garden area.

Undeterred, our team returned to the council with a fresh application, addressing the new concern head-on while making clear that the original grounds for refusal had already been resolved. The council subsequently approved the new application in July 2025.

The approved plans will see the derelict bungalow replaced with a pair of four-bedroom semi-detached homes, each featuring off-street parking, generous gardens and environmentally friendly features such as solar panels.

As part of the planning strategy, our socio-economics team submitted a detailed housing needs assessment, which showed a clear local demand for family homes in the area and became a key component in overturning the initial refusal.

Sachin Parmar, planning director, said: “The approval is the result of tenacity, teamwork and a firm belief in the merits of this site.

“The appeal process helped us secure a critical win on one key issue, even though it was ultimately dismissed on a new ground that took everyone by surprise. Rather than walk away, we came back stronger – solving the newly identified issue and making it clear the site’s potential couldn’t be ignored.

“This is a classic case of perseverance paying off. We’re proud to transform a long-abandoned plot into high-quality homes that meet real local needs, while protecting the local environment.”

The initial refusal was based on two grounds: the loss of a bungalow and the absence of a legal agreement to protect the nearby Epping Forest SAC.

However, the appeal demonstrated that the bungalow had been empty for years and was in poor condition, making it an unrealistic option for local people, including older residents looking to downsize, and the follow-up application addressed the SAC concerns with appropriate mitigation measures.

Legal support was provided by Anna Cartledge, legal planning partner, and Simon Stanion, legal planning consultant, both from full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau.