Our Monkhams Ward Chair Lucy Bostick discusses her thoughts and feelings on the green spaces in Woodford Green
“As Conservatives, our objectives of developing homes and infrastructure are coupled with those of conserving that which is beautiful. Whether it’s houses or flats, development can be sympathetic to its surroundings. The examples of thoughtful development in Woodford Green are numerous, establishing new residences over the years at all levels of price and accessibility which are sympathetic to – and even enhance – our beautiful surroundings.
My mother recalls when she first came to Woodford Green in 1968, and the characteristics that have little changed over the decades. We are lucky to have this green space which has such history and charm, and its preservation is of benefit to residents and visitors for generation after generation.
Like many others, taking my daily excursion around Woodford Green has been the highlight of these past few months. It is a visceral pleasure to sit among the grasses, where the world passes by just beyond the horse chestnuts. It’s a pleasure which is egalitarian, with access for all, in true keeping with the history of commoners’ rights to the lands of Epping Forest.
The 1878 Epping Forest Act established the City of London as the Conservators of Epping Forest, and, it being within the ancient forest boundary, the conservators of Woodford Green. If it wasn’t for this stewardship, our Green would be under perpetual threat of development.
This realisation is becoming more and more acute as we witness some of the approved developments affecting communities elsewhere in Redbridge. While we have the conservation of Epping Forest to protect our Green, access to facilities and infrastructure continues to be under threat.”