Support the Implementation of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Homecroft Gardens, Schoolhouse Gardens, and Adjacent Roads
Contact the author of the petition
Response from NEPP
2025-07-29 07:44:46Greetings everyone,
This is an update on the petition, and unfortunately, it is not good news.
On 16 July, I attended the Loughton Town Council meeting, where I had the opportunity to present the irregular parking situation to the Council and received support from several councillors. Special thanks to Town Clerk Mark Squire for hosting me, and to Councillors Alan Fricker and Stephen Murray, who kindly agreed to put their names forward in support of our efforts.
As promised, I submitted the parking regulation petition to NEPP last week and received the following response:
“Good morning,
Thank you for your application.Whilst it is encouraging that you have sought the support of a Town Council representative, our process dictates that the evidenced support (email will suffice) must come from either the Essex County or Epping Forest District Councillor for your area.
Details of who this is can be obtained via each applicable organisation's website.
I have studied the attached petition. Unfortunately, in this case, the majority support (no less than 75% of households, with at least one positive representation per property) is not available, with the exception of Lucton Mews.
The following totals have been recorded against each road in question and indicate that all roads bar one are lacking the required support:
Homecroft Gardens – 25 properties, 5 representations – 20%
Schoolhouse Gardens – 60 properties, 18 representations – 30%
Lucton Mews – 9 properties, 9 representations – 100%
Maybury Close – 14 properties, 5 representations – 30%
Bryony Close – 27 properties, 9 representations – 30%
The attached petition is numbered to correspond with the details recorded for each road. Where an individual property is represented, the same number appears when multiple representations have been recorded.
Whilst it is encouraging that these details have been sought, a petition must capture a name, address, and signature — again, this is a stipulation of our application process.
A petition must also clearly state what exactly is required. We cannot accept support for a measure with no details. Some households may support a permit parking scheme in place 24/7, while others may prefer a scheme operating on selected days and hours.
As a guideline, we require any scheme to operate at least 5 days a week (weekends can be included if necessary) and for a minimum of 4 hours per day.
Majority support must be gained for one proposal only, and on the understanding that, if changes are agreed to, we would also seek to place double yellow lines on any applicable junctions within the affected roads.
Our application process closes for this year on 31 July, as it does annually. However, we may be able to extend this time period to assist you in making the necessary enquiries described above, but will need to liaise with Epping Forest District Council representatives to seek their approval for this.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Kind regards,
Shane Taylor
Interim Engineering Manager
North Essex Parking Partnership
01206 282316The multi-award-winning North Essex Parking Partnership”
I replied to ask: “Where on your website can taxpayers find the full rules and requirements to make an application before submitting it, so one can get it right the first time?” His response — among other justifications — included the following:
“Our application page contains most of the information required for a request to be made” and
“Our website is due to be reviewed and will be updated to reflect additional information required and changes recently endorsed (provision of a petition to depict names, addresses and signatures) by our Board.”
Regarding the points raised in his response, I have the following comments:
1. Petition signatures:
I personally delivered a written letter to all houses and flats across our streets and engaged with as many residents as possible. However, I am currently travelling and cannot pursue further outreach on the ground right now. Some of the collected signatures omitted full addresses, and some residents did not confirm their email addresses. NEPP also appears to be stuck in the 1990s, seemingly unaware of the existence and validity of electronic petitions.
2. Requirement for support from specific councillors:
NEPP states that only support from an Essex County or Epping Forest District Councillor will be accepted. This was not made clear to me or to the Town Council, who generously gave us their support. I have now made contact with Cllr. Chidi Nweke from Epping Forest District Council, who may be able to support us moving forward.
3. Clarity of request:
NEPP insists that the petition must state exactly what type of scheme is required — days, times, and so on. I had assumed it would be the role of NEPP’s traffic engineers to evaluate the technical situation and propose an appropriate solution, not non-technical residents being left to design regulatory parking schemes on their own.
4. Requests for public information:
I have submitted several Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to NEPP, Epping Forest District Council, and Essex County Council. These cover existing measures, enforcement history, and planning obligations to prevent parking overspill from the new developments. However, responses (if any) will take up to 20 working days to arrive.
Next Steps
As mentioned, I am currently travelling and somewhat limited in what I can do over the coming days. I would very much welcome ideas, assistance, and support — especially with gathering additional signatures, clarifying scheme preferences from residents, or reaching out to councillors and the media.
At this stage, I believe the path forward will require political engagement and potentially involvement from newspapers to put pressure.
Please feel free to reply with your suggestions, or if you can help in any way.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Bruno
Bruno Cesar do Amaral de Andrade Sophia