Taxi Storage Opposition

A planning appeal over the parking of un-used London taxis on farmland in North Weald is being strongly opposed by North Weald Bassett Parish Council.

GB Taxi Services is challenging an Epping Forest District Council decision to refuse temporary permission for the change of use of land at Chase Farm in Vicarage Lane West to store the vehicles. The issue first surfaced when planning permission was sought for the temporary storage of the taxis - which the applicant said were not required in London because of the COVID-19 pandemic - off Duck Lane in Thornwood. Councillor Andy Tyler told Monday's parish council planning committee meeting: "Green Belt is Green Belt. If it's not supposed to be on their that's the end of it. "The last time this came up he (the applicant, GB Taxi Services director Paolo Bolognini) said they were there because of the COVID pandemic. The bottom line is it's Green Belt, get rid of it." Councillor Terry Blanks said: "It was because of COVID in the first place that they first appeared in Thornwood. "The one thing that really distresses me is when they first approached Epping Forest District Council with a planning application they (the council) didn't just throw it out straight away.

“That's exactly what they did with the King's Head Garage when they wanted to put a container there. Why didn't they do that with this? - 200 old taxis on a farm where they can basically disintegrate."

He added: "I understand a lot of them have been robbed of their catalytic converters. This is clearly something Epping Forest District Council got wrong in the first place and then to add insult to injury they let them do it again. "It shouldn't have been allowed in the first place." "Twice is enough - how long has this got to go on?" Councillor Anne Grigg said the parish council should repeat its objections "and make the strongest case possible to the inspector". Monday's meeting was told the decision to refuse permission was taken by the district council on 24th September last year with the appeal dated 2nd December. Any comments about the appeal must be submitted to the planning inspectorate by 11th May. The appeal will be decided by an exchange of written statements and a site visit by an inspector.