Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest.

Members noted Go Further Cycling was a well-established local cycle hire business which had previously operated from Debden campsite and was currently located at Wake Arms was seeking new operating premises. The company had approached Officers at Epping to discuss utilising the rear of the Caddy House building as a cycle store, workshop and hiring office.

The location of the Caddy House with car parking capacity, toilets, showers and a

soon to be tendered Café, all close to a bus terminus and Overground rail station was thought to provide an ideal cycle hire location. Chingford Plain also offered good access to level surfaced and unsurfaced tracks providing an ideal introduction to off road cycling in Epping Forest. This arrangement would bring an existing operation which relied on Epping Forest for cycling access under a greater degree of control and cost recovery.

The Committee discussed the provision of cycling within the Forest and agreed that the activity needed to be managed responsibly. Members agreed that this 18 month exercise could provide Members with information which could be useful when considering a formal cycling policy in the future. Officers agreed to submit a report at a future Committee meeting regarding cycling in the Forest.

Members agreed that whilst they were minded to approve this facility in principle, the base could act as an education tool to help provide members of the public with information regarding responsible cycling in the Forest.

Resolved – that Members approved in principle the licencing of a cycle hire facility based at the Caddie House at Chingford Golf Course, subject to a suitable financial agreement and compliance with any planning requirements.