02/11/2025
Attention Neighbours of Harlow and surrounding villages – this affects us all
Many of us value what makes our area special: green wedges, open fields, relatively peaceful roads, a sense that Harlow isn’t just a high-density commuter town but a place with space to breathe and communities that matter.
Now another developer is proposing the building of 600 new homes on farmland near Harlow.
Here’s why we should be concerned – and speak up:
1. Loss of precious green land and local character
• We face the removal of farmland or open land which currently gives us a buffer, a break from built-up development, and habitat for wildlife.
• Further large-scale housing threatens the character of our neighbourhood – turning what should be a reasonably low-density environment into one where houses press on houses, infrastructure is stretched, and the “village” feel is lost.
• Our local green wedges and open spaces were part of Harlow’s original design as a new town; we shouldn’t allow them to be eaten away without real justification.
2. Infrastructure under strain
• With 600 + new homes will come many additional cars, more traffic on already-busy roads, and likely increased congestion, noise and pollution.
• Are existing schools, doctors’ surgeries, dentists, public transport and other services able to cope? Do we have confirmation that all necessary supporting infrastructure will be delivered ahead of the homes?
• We already hear from neighbours how stretched services are — this scheme threatens to make that worse unless robust safeguards are in place.
3. Precedent and planning fairness
• Approving this sort of large scale on what should be peripheral land sets a precedent for further loss of green wedges in and around Harlow.
• We must ask: is this development in the best interests of existing residents, or primarily profit for the developer? Is local need really being served?
• We deserve to see detailed plan for how many truly affordable homes will be included (not just high-value homes), and assurances that local people will benefit, not only incoming commuters or investors.
4. Local amenity and environment
• Green fields provide amenity value – walking, nature, local wildlife. Once lost, they cannot easily be restored.
• More intensive building means less space per home, less green buffer, more heat, more storm-run-off risk, more noise.
• We should ask whether the environmental impact (wildlife displacement, loss of biodiversity, local drainage, flooding potential) has been properly assessed.
5. Our voice matters – let’s act now
• If this development goes ahead without proper controls, we – the people who already live here and value what we have – will bear the consequences.
• We should demand the developer and the planning authority ensure:
– fully funded and deliverable infrastructure before homes occupied;
– genuine affordable housing for local people;
– retention of green space and local character;
– robust commitments on traffic, schools, health, environment.
• Even if the development cannot be stopped entirely, we should push hard to ensure it’s right for Harlow—not just an unchecked housing estate.
If you agree that this needs proper scrutiny and the voice of existing residents counted, then: ✅ Share this post
✅ Comment with your concerns
✅ Join or organise a local residents’ group to review the planning application
✅ Contact local councilors and the planning authority: tell them you want to see the full details and you expect safeguards for existing communities
✅ Ask for public exhibition or consultation if none has been offered.
Let’s ensure that Harlow develops in a way that works for us, not one that ignores our neighbourhood and the things that make it special.
Thanks for reading – let’s stand together and make our voices heard.
📍 Key Location Details
The site is identified as the former North Weald Golf Course / “North Weald Park” on Rayley Lane, North Weald.
It falls within the parish of North Weald Bassett in the district of Epping Forest District Council.
The planning application outline (“up to 600 dwellings, a care home, primary school … two access points off Rayley Lane and Vicarage Lane”) has been submitted.
Nearby roads: Rayley Lane is mentioned as the main approach; Vicarage Lane is specified as a bus-gate access.
