Temporary storage container at The Poplars, North Weald Bassett, Epping

What was proposed

The application sought to retain one shipping container for business storage for three years, with removal and land restoration after development.

“Planning permission is sought for the retention of a temporary shipping container to the front of the existing buildings to be used for storage for a period of three years. The temporary shipping container is currently used for storage purposes in relation to the Applicant’s business, TDK Mechanical Services (UK) Ltd which specialises in providing clients comprehensive solutions for a wide range of projects, including commercial, industrial, educational, institutional, and…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains storage buildings, an office and a flat, lies in the Green Belt, and borders woodland and an SSSI.

“The application site, edged in red, is occupied by storage buildings, an office with a self-contained flat, located on the north side of Epping Road (B181) between Epping and North Weald Bassett. The site shares its north, east and western boundary with The Lower Forest / Wintry Wood (SSSI) and is set back from the highway verge.”

“The Council’s Interactive Map shows that the site lies wholly within the Metropolitan Green Belt between 3km-6.2km radius from the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (“EFSAC”). The application site is not in an area of flood risk and there are no protected trees within the site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions included a furniture store, a building, a flat and two dwellings, while some other proposals were refused.

“EPO/0014/66 - Demolition of Shed and Erection of Furniture Store. Approved • EPO/0377/69 - Erection of New Building. Approved • EPO/0344/72 - Self-contained Flat above Offices. Approved…”

“EPF/0176/97 - Change of use of storage building to B2 general industry and retail sales. Refused • EPF/0082/13 - Outline application for demolition of existing buildings and erection of three dwellings and associated garages. Refused • EPF/0551/13 - Outline application for demolition of all existing buildings and erection of two dwellings and associated garages. (All matters reserved).”

Officer report

Why approval was advised

The temporary container was considered unlikely to harm Green Belt openness, highway safety or residential amenity, subject to conditions controlling disturbance.

“Having considered the scale, nature and the siting of the temporary shipping container, it is not considered that it would cause substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt as the building is screened behind an existing hedge which runs parallel to Epping Road and the existing large storage building immediately to the north.”

“As the shipping container will be temporary in nature with the land being able to revert back to its original condition once the shipping container is removed, it is not considered that the development would impact the openness of the Green Belt and including land within it to warrant the refusal of this application.”

Officer report

Objections and parish views

Residents and the Parish Council objected over containers, possible industrial activity, noise, fumes, traffic, enforcement, the Green Belt and the adjacent SSSI.

“Lack of enforcement action and the use has been over 17 months • Three storage containers on site not one • Not for storage use but industrial / workshop use • Increase in noise, disturbance, fumes and loss of trees • Increase in traffic movements • Inaccurate and misleading planning application • Harm to the Green Belt…”

“The cumulative impact of adding the proposed temporary storage container which formed part of EPF/1401/25 onto a site which already has a minimum of 3 additional storage containers is excessive and would have a detrimental impact on both the Green Belt and adjacent SSSI. This would be contrary to EFDC Local Plan policy DM4 Green Belt and Policy SP6 The Natural Environment, Landscape Character and Green and Blue Infrastructure.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Committee heard from a planning officer, an objector, the Parish Council, the applicant, ward councillors and another councillor.

The vote

The Committee voted to approve the application with conditions.

“Planning Committee B Wednesday 8 October 2025 3 RESOLVED:”

“The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with conditions.”

Minutes

Conditions of approval

The container must be removed by 4 September 2028, operate only during specified hours, avoid emissions, and be used only for storage and distribution.

“The temporary shipping container hereby permitted shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition on or before 4 September 2028 in accordance with a scheme of work submitted to and approved by the local planning authority. The scheme of work shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority by the 4 October 2028 unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

“The temporary storage container hereby approved shall only be used for storage and distribution purposes which are defined within Class B8 of the Schedule to the Town & Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) (or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking or re-enacting that Order) and for no other purpose.”

Officer report