GBI STRATEGY – EASTON PARK PROPOSALS TO SUPPORT
The UDC Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy contains a range of strategic opportunities to enhance and protect Uttlesford’s GBI network.
Strategic Opportunity 8 – A New Country Park at Easton Park (on page 93 of the GBI Strategy document) proposes the creation of a new country park within the wider Easton Park site.
SEP consider that Strategic Opportunity 8 – A New Country Park at Easton Park – should be progressed as part of the Uttlesford South Strategy 2021-2041 and that the following points in particular are worth supporting in responses to the Draft Plan (Regulation 18) consultation:
- Creation of a new Country Park within the wider Easton Park site north-west of Great Dunmow to improve the district shortage of natural and semi green open spaces open to the public identified in the 2019 Open Space Assessment Report and to relieve the recreational pressure on Hatfield Forest. (5.64 page 93)
- A new designated Country Park at Easton Park has the potential to relieve some of the recreational pressures faced by Hatfield Forest (by diverting visitors to this alternative natural greenspace) and contribute to improving the provision of open space (particularly ‘natural and semi-natural’ open space) for a growing population, including linked to new housing development along the A120 corridor. In particular, the strategic expansion of Takeley and Great Dunmow will put pressure on the existing natural resources in the local area. (5.66 page 93).
- Biodiversity enhancements, such as woodland creation, at Easton Park have the potential to strengthen the Nature Network, linking Hatfield Forest, the valleys of the River Roding and Pincey Brook, the Flitch Way and the River Chelmer green/blue corridor up to Thaxted (5.68, page 94).
- A new Country Park at Easton Park will be able to provide a range of recreational opportunities for local residents, provide a defined and accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists from the Fitch Way and from Great Dunmow, as well as contributing to the enhancement of long-distance paths such as the Harcamlow Way and the Saffron Trail which both connect through Easton Park. (5.69, page 94).
- A new Country Park at Easton Park provides the opportunity to enhance biodiversity and natural heritage through strengthening the nature network of wood pasture, parkland, and ancient and semi-natural woodland north-west of Great Dunmow, improving habitat connectivity and canopy cover between High Wood (SSSI and ASNW), Hoglands Wood/Broomhills (ASNW), Canfield Spring, Airfield Wood (ASNW), Broxted Common Wood, and Philipland Wood/Middlefield Wood (ASNW). This will form an important part of the emerging Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy which is due for publication in 2024. (5.70, page 96).
- Habitat creation within Easton Park would help improve the connectivity of habitats across the district and would increase woodland cover, providing a significant opportunity for carbon sequestration and forming a key link between several habitats and other strategic opportunities. (5.71 page 96).
- Easton Park contains many designated assets including the Gardens of Easton Lodge (Grade II Registered Gardens), Brook End Stables (Non-Designated Heritage Asset) and Little Easton Conservation Area (Little Easton Manor and Grade I listed church) among many others. There is an opportunity for the re-establishment of the historic landscape character of the parkland that was lost during WWII, ensuring that GBI protects and enhances the historic character of the local area. (5.72, page 96).
THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS! THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE THE RESTORATION OF EASTON PARK AND PROTECT IT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS!
If we don’t seize the day now to protect Easton Park for future generations, parties threatened by the current proposals will encourage UDC to use Easton Park as an alternative solution leading to the risk of future housing development. It is therefore vital that we support the creation of a new country park at Easton Park in the current plan.
We would encourage all our supporters and anyone else who would prefer to see a restored Country Park at Easton Park rather than 10,000 houses to take part in the consultation and give their support to the Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy and in particular to Strategic Opportunity 8 – A New Country Park at Easton Park.
