Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee noted Epping Town Green is a 2.4 acre triangular area of Forest Land located on the edge of Epping Town Centre, which is managed on behalf of the City London Corporation by Epping Town Council. Over the past 35 years, the City of London Corporation and Epping Town Council have sought the closure of the Lindsey Street spur road which crosses Epping Town Green to both better manage damage to the spur road verges by Heavy Goods Vehicles and protect the setting of the Grade II Listed War Memorial.

In response to a query it was noted that on 15 May in order to close the Lindsey Street spur road fronting the War Memorial, Essex County Council needs to undertake junction improvements at Lindsey Street (B181) / Palmers Hill (B1393) to facilitate, the eastward and westward journeys of large vehicles between the Nazeing/Epping Green area and Theydon Mount/Ongar. The junction improvement works at Palmers Hill require approximately 45m2 of Epping Forest Land to be dedicated for highway purposes. The closure of the spur road and the creation of a public footway fronting the war memorial will return to the Forest a corresponding 45m2 of land therefore satisfying your Committee’s policy position on seeking compensatory land for Forest Land dedicated to support Highway Schemes.

Members had instructed the Superintendent to pursue only the closure of the Lindsey Street spur road. This report was necessary to advise the Committee that following further discussions with Essex County Council, Senior Highway Officers have reiterated that the Highway Authority can only safely achieve the spur road closure with the completion of junction improvements at Lindsey Street/Palmers Hill. Epping Town Council, who has been consulted on this matter, intends to provide a letter of support for the scheme as currently proposed.

Resolved - that Members:

i. Approved the dedication to public highway of approximately 45m2 of Forest Land at Epping Town Green, Epping in favour of Essex County Council for the widening of the junction of Lindsey Street (A) / Palmers Hill, SUBJECT TO:

(a) 45m2 of Lindsey Street being stopped up and incorporated into Forest Land, and laid out to the reasonable satisfaction of the Superintendent

(b) The remaining 60m2 of Lindsey Street being laid out as footpath to the reasonable satisfaction of the Superintendent, and all vehicular rights being prohibited:

ii. Noted that the overall exchange of land is neutral with the new dedication of 45m2 of Forest Land at Lindsey Street being addressed by the surplus of 45m2 at Lindsey Street being incorporated into Forest Land.

iii. Instructed the Superintendent to negotiate a care and maintenance agreement with Epping Town Council for Epping Town Green.

iv. Instructed the Comptroller and City Solicitor to undertake any necessary documentation.