THEYDON BOIS: More time to comment on car park plans after massive public response (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

THEYDON BOIS: More time to comment on car park plans after massive public response

10:49am Wednesday 3rd November 2010 in Your Local Areas By Clare Hardy

THEYDON BOIS: More time to comment on car park plans after massive public response

PLANS for a commuter car park near the Central line have attracted so much attention that the deadline for residents' comments has been extended.

The 179-space car park could be built near Theydon Bois Tube station if planners give it the go-ahead and developer George Dilloway has argued that there is a need for more parking.

But more than 100 people have objected to the proposal due to worries over Green Belt land being built on and fears that Tube trains would fill up too quickly if more people could park in the village.

The Theydon Bois Action Group (TBAG) is urging people to send their opinions on the plans, which cover the site of the former Old Forester's Club off Abridge Road, to the council.

A spokeswoman said the group was worried about further development on the site, after a planning application was put in for a leisure facility there.

She added: “We have to ask: What are the real plans for this area?”

The group held a meeting for residents on Sunday, which was attended by about 60 people.

A spokeswoman said: “All the residents bar one had very strong reservations about the proposal and either signed the pro forma objection prepared by TBAG or planned to return home to either write their own objection or comment online.”

However, Theydon Park Road resident Valerie Keeley, 62, said she supported the plans as a way of relieving parking problems for commuters.

“I've lived here 10 years and the situation is ridiculous,” she added. “I've got a sister in Havering-atte-Bower. She's got no bus service and her nearest station is Theydon Bois. She's got nowhere to park.

“Parking on the roads is a nightmare. We've got yellow lines outside, but that creates more problems because people end up parking all over.

"I've always supported the car park. I can't see how it can't help.”

Theydon Bois Parish Council has strongly objected to the planned car park, claiming that a more joined-up transport strategy was needed for the area.

Loughton Residents' Association has also strongly objected, claiming that the car park would lead to more over-crowding on trains further down the Central line because commuters would be persuaded to park at Theydon Bois.

Comments on the planned car park can now be made to Epping Forest District Council by November 22 via the website www.eppingforest.gov.uk