Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces and Heritage.

To help address future continuing efficiency savings requirements, this report

proposes a feasibility study to consider the introduction of holiday accommodation on Epping Forest ‘Buffer Land’, in the form of tents, shepherds huts and/or demountable buildings. While the accommodation will be of a temporary nature, supporting infrastructure will need to be installed both below ground such as mains water and sewerage and to provide pedestrian and vehicle access.

A detailed business plan will need to be presented through the Gateway process and a tender process will be necessary. An initial forecast based on the market knowledge of one of the leading ‘glamping’ operator shows a return on investment within the second year of operation with the potential to produce a surplus for reinvestment in to the management of the Forest estimated as £67,000 net per annum.

RESOLVED – that Members:

 Agree to the proposals to further explore the introduction of holiday accommodation on Epping Forest buffer land through the City of London Gateway process and to bid for an allocation from the City Cash 2018/19 provision for new schemes, which is subject to the approval of the Resource Allocation Sub and Policy and Resources Committee.

 Agree to potentially apply for match funding of 40% from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Eastern Plateau European fund to contribute to the purchase costs of the accommodation and its installation.