Railway deal runs into the buffers (From Harrow Times)

Railway deal runs into the buffers

2:30pm Saturday 5th March 2005 in

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A DEAL which would have seen ownership of the Epping-Ongar railway handed over to Essex County Council has been scuppered after housing proposals for Ongar and North Weald stations were thrown out.

District councillors voted unanimously to reject outline plans from current owner Epping Ongar Railway for 20-plus properties on green belt land off Station Road, North Weald, and about 30 retirement homes for the over-55s at Ongar Station.

Objections focused on the loss of Green Belt land at North Weald, the lack of homes for rent proposed for Ongar, and insufficient evidence of the immediate public benefit of the scheme.

The county council said a heritage service offered certainty to the line for the "foreseeable future" with a commuter service a long-term goal.

Epping Forest Council's assistant head of planning services Barry Land said: "Building houses in the Green Belt requires very special circumstances. Is public ownership of the railway considered sufficient public benefit to set aside Green Belt policy to that extent?"

He told councillors: "You're having to wear your long-term hats. It will take a bold decision either way."

A district council report said the transfer of the railway to the county council was "sufficient planning gain to set aside any shortcomings which may be inherent in both submissions".

But Ongar councillor Keith Wright said: "I don't think there are any special circumstances. It's doubtful whether the heritage line benefits the community as a whole.

"It's unrealistic that in the next 20-30 years it (a commuter service) will be realised," and he added that a case for special circumstances' could not be justified. "There's very little public benefit from the package that's being offered."

Moreton and Fyfield councillor Doug Kelly said: "This is an ill-thought-out scheme which will give nothing whatsoever to the local population of Ongar and North Weald and certainly nothing to the people in the rural communities round and about. This is pie in the sky. It's not really worth the consideration we've given to it."

North Weald objections came from the parish council, preservation society and 57 villagers whose concerns included flooding, parking and the loss of a wildlife site.

Ongar parish council sought assurances over adequate land being left to ensure a viable railway, and raised traffic and access issues.

North Weald parish clerk Derek Farr said: "It doesn't stack up. The potential gain does not outweigh the serious damage. It will remove a very important if not unique piece of Green Belt land from the parish." He also voiced concern that allowing homes could jeopardise future rail plans.

"It may eat into car parking or land for a public transport interchange. It certainly leaves no room for development of facilities associated with the station and doesn't deliver a railway service that will go into Epping. It's benefit will be sadly limited."

North Weald councillor David Stallan voiced concern over the High Road-Station Road junctiton which would have to cope with existing traffic from Tempest Mead, and potential traffic from the proposed Station Road homes, a hotel proposed for the King's Head Garage and houses planned for behind the King's Head pub.

Epping Ongar Railway said both sites were previously developed land, there was a need for retirement homes in Ongar and the proposals would leave adequate land for railway use.