property
Epping Forest Council Opens 120 Home Plots, Applications Due August 22
Epping Forest District Council has opened its latest round of plots for 120 homes on two sites, with applications due by 22 August.
How we reported this
The Epping Forest District Council confirmed on 8 July that 120 residential plots will go on sale from 15 July under its 2026 land release scheme, targeting first-time buyers and local families on two parcels near Epping station and along the edge of Bell Common.
The move follows a 14 per cent rise in average house prices across the district since January, pushing the median to £548,000 and leaving many long-term residents priced out of the market they grew up in.
Who qualifies for the plots
Applicants must have lived or worked in the district for at least three of the past five years and meet income caps set at £62,000 for single buyers and £75,000 for couples or families. Priority goes to households currently renting in Epping or the neighbouring Coopersale ward, with a separate quota reserved for key workers employed at St Margaret’s Hospital. The council will not accept applications from overseas investors or second-home buyers under this round.
Plots measure between 0.08 and 0.12 hectares and carry a fixed purchase price of £185,000, with an additional requirement that homes built on them must remain the buyer’s primary residence for ten years. Previous releases in 2024 and 2025 saw 68 per cent of successful applicants come from within a two-mile radius of Epping High Street.
How to submit an application
Interested residents can download forms from the council’s planning portal or collect paper copies at the Civic Centre on 323 High Street. Completed applications, including proof of residency and income, must reach the housing allocations team by 5 pm on 22 August. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a ballot on 5 September at the Epping Sports Centre, with results published the following week. Successful buyers then have 90 days to exchange contracts and begin construction within 18 months.
Council officers will hold two drop-in sessions on 18 and 20 July at the library on St John’s Road to answer questions about the income thresholds and the ten-year occupancy rule. Those who miss the deadline can register for alerts on future releases through the same portal.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.