Epping Forest District Council Sets New Annual Housing Target at 1,299 Dwellings

Epping Forest District Council must now deliver 1,299 dwellings each year under the updated National Planning Policy Framework standard method. This figure replaces the prior annual requirement of 725 dwellings and applies directly to planning decisions across the district.

The change stems from the revised calculation of local housing need. Council officers and planning committees will use the higher number when assessing applications for sites inside and outside existing settlements.

Current affordable housing projects under way

Construction has started on 28 family-sized affordable homes at Roundhills in Waltham Abbey. A separate proposal at the South Epping Masterplan Area seeks permission for up to 90 affordable homes inside a larger scheme of 225 units. Both projects are listed in the district’s current delivery programme.

The Epping Forest Housing Strategy 2023-2027 sets out the council’s approach to meeting these targets. It identifies a Local Plan requirement for 11,400 new homes by 2033 and allocates 3,900 of those homes to the portion of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town that lies inside the district.

What the higher target means for residents

Planning applications will be measured against the 1,299-dwelling annual figure when councils consider land supply and five-year housing targets. Sites that previously fell short of the lower number may now meet the revised threshold. Residents living near proposed developments will see applications assessed against the new total rather than the earlier 725-dwelling benchmark.

The strategy continues to prioritise affordable housing supply. Officers will continue to negotiate the proportion of affordable units on larger sites while the council tracks progress toward the 11,400-home Local Plan figure. No new timeline for individual sites has been published beyond the existing 2033 horizon.