Welcome to housingtoday.co.uk. This site uses cookies. Read our policy Trusted media brand of the Chartered Institute of Housing By 2024-11-15T12:35:00+00:00 Epping Forest District Council has granted the AXA-owned developer permission to deliver an over-65s development in Chigwell ASA-owned Retirement Villages Group has been granted planning permission to build a 144-home scheme for over 65s in Chigwell A CGI of what the Retirement Villages Group’s development in Chigwell A previous application to develop an assisted living scheme on the site was rejected in 2022 due to insufficient Section 106 contributions and concerns that it would constitute “inappropriate development” of the green belt.  Epping Forest District Council’s report on the Retirement Villages Group’s application notes that the site is designated in the Local Plan for “specialist residential accommodation,” with the only remaining area within the green belt being the access road >> See also: Change of CEO at Retirement Villages Group >> See also: Proportion of older people in PRS to treble by 2040 Retirement Villages Group has said the development which will be part of its Thrive Living collection will be net zero carbon and powered by renewable energy and include a 20% increase in local biodiversity.  the financial viability assessment concluded that providing an affordable housing contribution would not be financially feasible for the developer the developer has agreed to contribute £1m in Section 106 contributions.  The council said it considers the development to be of high quality with the design shaped by feedback from the Quality Review Panel It also said it is a significant improvement compared to previously rejected proposals particularly in terms of site layout and elevations.  development director at Retirement Villages Group “I would like to thank everyone involved in this approval The outcome is testament to months of constructive consultation with Epping Forest officers and the dedication of our consultant team.  offering older people a community where they can live happier and healthier later lives Our plans also include new jobs and amenities that will benefit and be accessible to the entire community.” Thrive Living’s other schemes include the Wyldewoods in Chester Other communities under construction include Botanical Place in West Byfleet followed by Tunbridge Wells and West Malling in Kent Battersea Development Company says new phase will have a “more modern aesthetic” Housebuilder expects full-year operating profit of around £444m Student housing specialist with a turbulent recent past ‘positive’ about trading outlook Deal goes through two years after Berkley named preferred bidder on £2bn scheme  DESNZ will boost green skills under its Warm Homes Plan through financial awards  Developer also wins grant funding from London mayor  Site powered by Webvision Cloud (Image: Essex Live)As The Apprentice gears up for another season this Thursday, its host and renowned 'boss' Lord Alan Sugar remains a central fixture on the popular BBC show he is a giant in the business world with an astonishing empire to his name The East London-born tycoon's journey from dropping out of school at 16 to leading a sprawling international network of companies is remarkable His ventures include the pioneering technology firm Amstrad Lord Sugar enjoys a relatively private family life in Essex He tied the knot with Ann Simons in April 1968 at the Great Portland Street Synagogue in London RIGHT MOVE: The 'secret' UK train journey through coast and countryside tops Lonely Planet list Their wedding was followed by a romantic honeymoon getaway to Majorca that lasted two weeks proudly sits in the prestigious 'golden triangle' It shares its affluent status with neighbouring Loughton and Buckhurst Hill St Mary's Church in Chigwell(Image: Google Maps)This conservation town is rich in culture and history boasting landmarks such as St Mary's Church Its Georgian architecture adds further charm to the area Charles Dickens once called Chigwell "the greatest place in the world" The Telegraph ranked it 32nd on the list of the UK’s most affluent towns marking the biggest rise of any location that year The Sugar family’s residence is nestled in three acres of lush parkland and is thought to be nearly 114 years old. Lord Sugar purchased the five-bedroom property in 1981 for £800,000, but it is now estimated to be worth £8.5 million, according to the Express. Chigwell is known for its high-end restaurants and glamorous residents. Celebrities such as Rod Stewart, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Bradley Walsh, and Mark Wright from TOWIE have all called it home. Chigwell is famous for its historical buildings and opulent homes (Image: (Image: Getty Images))‌According to Rightmove, the average house price in Chigwell over the past year was £615,336. Terraced houses were the most frequently sold, averaging £490,321, while semi-detached properties fetched around £605,900, and flats achieved an average of £416,193. For those with deep pockets, there’s an opportunity to acquire a stunning Grade II listed manor house on High Road for £8.5 million. Alternatively, a three-bedroom apartment on Manor Road is available for £995,000. But Chigwell, the heart of affluent Essex, isn't just about grand homes and celebrity residents. The area has a wealth of attractions for both locals and visitors. The lake at Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve(Image: (Image: Getty Images))Nature lovers can explore the Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve, which offers picturesque walks and wildlife spotting. Nearby, Epping Forest provides miles of scenic trails, nature reserves, and diverse wildlife. History enthusiasts can visit Ye Olde King's Head, a 16th-century coaching inn once frequented by Charles Dickens. The author even mentioned Chigwell in his novel Barnaby Rudge. The former pub has since been transformed into Sheesh, a high-end Turkish restaurant known for its lively atmosphere and exceptional cuisine. It has become a popular dining spot for celebrities. Sheesh restaurant is the place to see and be seen in Essex(Image: (Image: Google Maps/Essex Live))For sports fans, Topgolf offers a family-friendly driving range, sports bar, and restaurant. More experienced golfers can take on the challenging course at Chigwell Golf Club, which boasts breathtaking views. An anniversary celebration update in your area By NOTICEBOARD · 25 June 2024 The principal of Stagecoach Performing Arts in Chigwell celebrated her 25th anniversary at the school with a special Silver Jubilee event held at the prestigious Royal Opera House Barnes became Principal of Stagecoach Performing Arts in Chigwell with just five students She aimed to offer high-quality performing arts education to children and young adults in Chigwell and the surrounding areas she has gone on to support hundreds of talented students in developing their performing arts careers students took to the stage of the Royal Opera House to perform two shows: the first being a performance of “Eddie the Penguin Saves the World” an eco-friendly musical by Nikki Davies and performed by the youngest students aged four to six celebrating the principal’s incredible achievement and notable alumni of Stagecoach Chigwell who honed their craft with Suzanna in their early stages also took to the stage to perform in the Stagecoach Chigwell 25th Anniversary Musical Extravaganza Suzanna-Jane Barnes said: "I was thrilled to see our students perform at the Royal Opera House full-circle moment and a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our students and staff over the years We're very proud to have celebrated this milestone in such a significant venue." Stagecoach Performing Arts has seen more than one million students unlock their creative potential which they will value for their whole lives Provided with the support and dedication of such an outstanding Principal network the students learn so much more than how to sing Stagecoach helps them blossom into well-rounded individuals ready to embrace life and all of its exciting opportunities With a network of over 60,000 students and more than 3,000 extra-curricular Performing Arts Schools worldwide Stagecoach aims to make a difference in its students’ lives by teaching Creative Courage for Life and many children have gone on to study and work in Performing Arts from blockbuster films to countless roles in local theatre productions For more information about Stagecoach Performing Arts Chigwell, please visit their website at: stagecoach.co.uk/chigwell LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}} Published: Invalid Date A CELEBRITIES' paradise is home to million-pound glossy mansions with basement swimming pools -  and “garden houses” for their at-home gyms Houses in the area can fetch a whopping £2million and local jewellery shops sell pieces for as much £20,000 The unsuspecting area, Epping Forest, is a district in Essex, England and as its name would suggest is also graced with sprawling, beautiful woods - a particular draw for many of its affluent residents opened Fred and Doug’s café with his cousin eight years ago after a career in finance in London’s City Located in a prime spot on Epping’s high street and neighbour to other plush cafes and shops like a Gail’s bakery and a fine art gallery the quaint coffee shop is a vibrant spot for locals and celebrities alike a recent finalist on Strictly Come Dancing “They’re our good friends now,” said James It’s not just TV personalities but famous football players and cyclists too James added: “David Beckham’s mum was just in here." Just wander down Norsey Road - dubbed “millionaires' row” - and you’ll find towering mansions with gated driveways an art curator at the local fine art gallery who has lived all over the world said business has been booming since they opened last year They hold a number of events to celebrate their artists’ work including one they’re hosting next week for an award-winning Argentinian artist The gathering will welcome many “big names” said Jacqui A millionaire's paradise is home to A-list celebs and lined with Rolls-Royces and Bentleys - but it's kept top secret Houses on one of Stockwell’s more affluent roads cost a whopping £1.18million on average Showbiz stars Joanna Lumley and Toby Jones also live in the leafy neighbourhood Theatre director Zoe said her whole road is filled with people from the industry Zoe has lived in her godparents' house 'for mates rates' for seven years She said: "Things have definitely changed. The post office closed down because of gentrification Just a few minutes away in a multiple-story house lives artist Richard Rees He said: "Large houses are easily worth £2.5 million plus and are very hard to get hold of." Actors and a news presenter are also counted as some of the gallery’s affluent clients “We get a few actors too but I'm not very good at recognising them until I start talking to them,” she added "Epping attracts lots of affluent people from different industries," said Mari-Louise Whitbread "Everyone from banking to the creative industries come and buy houses here" Mari-Louise sells houses for up to £3 million which often feature porcelain tiles For some of the ultra luxurious homes on the edge of Epping you can also find a tennis court in the garden “A lot of the properties have a garden room,” she said “They usually have a home gym so people don’t need to go anywhere They want everything around them,” she added The average monthly private rent in Epping Forest is almost £1,700 who has lived in Epping for five years with her husband - the head of a recruitment firm - the area is a perfect spot to raise a family But even she admits the high street has turned into a rich man’s cave with “tens of thousands of pound sculptures and art shops” “It’s my 30th this year and I have asked for one of those pieces of art,” she said They usually have a home gym so people don’t need to go anywhere “But we’ve seen their prices go up from a few thousand pounds to about 15 thousand pounds because the demand is so high,” she added It's not just Epping attracting all the millionaires but its neighbouring town Chigwell too In 2021, The Sun reported Rightmove's most viewed home of the year games room and a stunning stone staircase - on top of the five bedrooms six bathrooms and sprawling living-dining spaces The opulent property also boasts a cinema room a private spa and even an Olympic-sized paddock the area's new-found glam has come with some serious downsides which she thinks will have massively gone up in value the community isn't what it used to be and the area is overrun with wealthy outsiders who aren't as community spirited as those who were born there She also thinks crime in the area is getting worse too Just recently Janette was burgled and had her handbag stolen "I don't walk home at night alone neither do a lot of women," Janette added Jeff Brazier and Bobby are our good friends now said the fancy shops have taken over some of the local "It's sad people don't buy books anymore," she said the criminals come in a pick-pocket on market day "I saw someone with a basket of meat racing out the door of M&S "Two houses on my road were burgled in one night," she added Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox Thank you for subscribing!We have more newsletters Hollyoaks star, Paul Danan, died from a fatal mixture of drugs, including heroin, an inquest has confirmed. Aged 46, his body was found by police on Wednesday January 15, and was declared deceased after paramedics arrived, The Mirror reports An inquest in Bristol today confirmed that a "combined toxicity of heroin with a secondary contributory finding of benzodiazepine" was a primary cause of his death The hearing heard that Paul's partner Melissa Crooks formally identified Mr Danan to paramedics and police at the scene Paul had spoken publicly about his addiction to drugs in podcasts and TV shows While speaking with Liam Tuffs on The Dozen podcast he shared how he was introduced to cocaine at 19 years old during his first day on Hollyoaks READ MORE:Jesy Nelson urged to 'stay strong' after emotional emergency surgery update about unborn twins READ MORE:Gorgeous Essex hotel loved by celebs named one of the best places to stay in Britain handed me an eighth of cocaine and I didn't really know much about coke and he was like I hadn't even filmed anything." The actor left Hollyoaks in 2001 to pursue a Hollywood career he revealed his parents saved his life after he suffered a drug overdose just after leaving rehab he visited a drug dealer who gave him heroin instead of cocaine He said: "My mum came into the bedroom and heard me making these noises She knew it wasn’t quite snoring but it was me choking on my last breaths They found me in my bed and they didn’t know what was going on They didn’t think I’d taken anything because I’d just come back from rehab." he reflected on his drug use after that experience He said: "I know that I have to work hard at it every day to keep in recovery I started experimenting with ecstasy but it wasn’t a regular thing that I felt I had to that’s a drug that can become addictive without you realising." He had been to rehab on 17 occasions at the time of his interview Paul was keen to help those also struggling with addiction and those with mental health issues through his passion project prisons and schools to help those interested in the arts He said: "It really has changed people's lives and helped a lot of people it's been overwhelmingly rewarding." His management described Paul as a "beacon of light" as they announced his death Their statement read: "His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him." Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right This buzzy co-ed through school on the outskirts of London and Epping has an appealing blend of academic success Open in Google Maps Holmwood House School & Nursery, Colchester Saint Nicholas School, Harlow Gosfield School, Halstead Oakfields Preparatory School, Upminster  Orwell Park School, Nacton, Suffolk Ipswich High School, Woolverstone St Michael’s School, Leigh-on-Sea  Brentwood School, Brentwood Don't already know how splendiferous we are? Read the Muddy Stilettos story We love to connect with like-minded brands and clients. If you’re interested in working with us click here for national and regional contacts. Whether you want to leave your feedback, ask a question or need help - click here to get in touch with us Reader Treats Terms & ConditionsRead our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions here For more information about how we and our partners use cookies on our site, see our Cookie Policy These cookies are necessary for the Savills website to function Examples of this include: setting your privacy preferences Though these cookies cannot be switched off you can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies but please be aware that this will stop some parts of the Savills website from functioning as intended Find out more about strictly necessary cookies here These cookies are used to enhance the performance of the Savills website as without them certain functions of the website may not be available While they are not vital for the website to run they allow us to remember important information and your preferences such as previous location searches Find out more about functional cookies here These cookies record your activity on the Savills website and our partners may use that information to show you adverts that they think you will be most interested in when you visit other websites We may also use information recorded by these cookies to see how well these adverts are performing Find out more about targeting and tracking cookies here Find a property Find the property that brings your vision to life needs and aspirations and we won’t stop until we’ve found you the right fit From first homes to rural land and commercial opportunities we have a specialist expert that knows the market inside out Have a question? Wondering what it’s worth? Property auctions Our latest research using Savills Earth's GridIQ tool shows that despite our grid having an unused capacity of 37GW there is 27GW of projects that are trapped in connection queues and unable to connect to the grid Know your property’s value Book a no obligation valuation with one of our local experts to understand what your property could be worth Market your property agricultural land to new-build developments we’ll help you find the right buyer or tenant for your property Real Estate Insights Podcast: England’s housing crisis: challenges and solutions Join host Guy Ruddle and guests Patrick Moseley and Emily Williams from Savills Development and Research teams as they delve into England's housing crisis Find a service Savills offers a wide range of specialist services from financial and investment advice to valuation Browse by sector Our services cover a broad range of property sectors Find your nearest office Over 40,000 people work for us in more than 70 countries all over the world Trusted relationships are at the heart of our business We listen to your needs and aspirations to create bespoke solutions that bring your vision to life Built on integrity At the forefront of technology Awards Sustainability & ESG Investor relations Diversity & Inclusion Insight & Opinion Get the latest trends and predictions from inside the real estate industry Whether you’re interested in residential our experts bring you the leading advice and analysis to help you make better property decision Research Be empowered to make better property decisions with our world-leading research our specialist teams will keep you in the know The Savills Blog The Savills Blog brings you the latest news helpful guides and top tips on all things property Savills News Want to know what’s going on in our business and across the property industry We’re right there at the forefront constantly keeping you updated Savills Podcasts Keep yourself informed on the ‘real’ behind the real estate headlines our podcast brings you engaging and insightful discussion with experts across our global business on the issues that matter most in property Portfolio by Savills seamlessly blends the latest trends and the world’s finest properties with the expert insight and analysis you would expect from Savills Find a person Find your place to thrive Savills is an organisation full of extraordinary individuals We empower our people with the opportunities to make a real with support to reach their full potential How can we help? We're here to provide you with more information or connect you with the right people to help with your needs Earth Day 2025: the role of solar power in commercial real estate Earth Day is the world’s largest environmental awareness initiative 2025’s theme – ‘Our Power Our Planet’ – spotlights the urgent need to scale up renewable energy to triple clean electricity generation worldwide by 2030.  which lies opposite Chigwell Underground Station within the Epping Forest district extends to approximately 0.64 acres and has been purchased by residential developer It was sold on behalf of White Square Developments Limited who were advised by Savills and GLPG Located on the junction of Chigwell High Road and Brook Mews the residential-led development also includes ground-floor commercial space Comprising a mix of nine one-bedroom and 26 two-bedroom apartments the scheme totals 28,330 sq ft and benefits from 29 secure car parking spaces and 26 cycle spaces in a secure room within part of the building All apartments will include private amenity space with some benefitting from large terraces and private gardens Director in the Development Land team at Savills says: “Despite the headwinds the residential development land market is currently facing this transaction is evidence that well designed planning consents in established locations remain in demand from active developers We are really pleased to have completed this sale on behalf of our clients working closely with our joint agent at GLPG.” ' + articleIntroContainer[0].innerHTML + ' This corner of Essex has gathered fans from Charles Dickens to TOWIE stars and Lord Sugar for its blend of history Homes & Property | Where to live ​Charles Dickens described Chigwell in Essex as “the greatest place in the world. Such a delicious old inn facing the church… such beautiful forest scenery - such an out-of-the way rural place.” The great Victorian novelist so loved the place he set much of his work Barnaby Rudge at Chigwell’s Maypole Inn, which he based on Ye Olde King’s Head, a magnificent period building. Now owned by Chigwell’s most famous resident, Apprentice star and entrepreneur Lord Sugar, it is run as Sheesh, a smart Turkish restaurant. As Dickens portrayed the spirit of his age, so today it is reality television that shines a light on the nation’s foibles. Shows such as Essex Wives and Bafta-winning The Only Way is Essex - “Towie” for short - chronicle the lives of young women with year-round tans, big hair and Botox, and of young men with gelled hair and Ben Sherman shirts, in the golden Essex triangle of Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell. The 11th series of Towie started on Sunday and already the paparazzi are out hunting down the stars in their favourite haunts in this now familiar corner of Essex. It is a world away from the capital’s cutting-edge neighbourhoods of Hoxton or Hackney, and yet Chigwell is only 12 miles from central London and, with a Tube station on the Central line, it is only 36 minutes from Oxford Circus. The area attracts: Chigwell is a family area. Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground was here until recently but the club’s move away has not dented the area’s popularity with footballers and their families. Staying power: according to Savills’ David Bloomfield, there is a strong local market with most house sales to families already living in the area. Best roads: the roads backing on to the Chigwell Golf Club course are where people aspire to live. Those people aim for are Manor Road, Forest Lane, High Road, Hainault Road and Stradbroke Drive. Postcode: IG7 is the Ilford postcode which includes all of Chigwell and the northern part of Hainault. Up and coming: houses become cheaper towards Grange Hill and Hainault, where there are Thirties semis. The Bowls is a Sixties development of spacious flats on Manor Road built incongruously away from any Tube station, and prices reflect this. Estate agent Churchills is selling a three-bedroom flat there for £549,950. David Bloomfield says there is a wide choice of houses on the market at between £1.1 million to £1.2 million, and oversupply brings value for money. Council: Epping Forest district council is Conservative controlled, and Band D council tax for the 2013/2014 year is £1,491.11. There is plenty of it. Hainault Forest Country Park covers 300 acres and includes adventure play areas, a small zoo, a fishing lake, nature trail and orienteering course. One of the greenest sections of Epping Forest, which is managed by the City of London, is north of Chingford and stretches as far as the M25 and beyond. Horse riding is popular locally. The Chigwell Riding Trust, the oldest riding school for people with special needs in the world, teaches 160 riders a week and this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. There are two golf clubs - Chigwell Golf Club and Woolston Manor Golf and Country Club. There are two private gyms, David Lloyd in Roding Lane and Virgin Active at Woolston Hall, and both have indoor and outdoor swimming pools. WHAT THE LOCALS SAY:@jagchima1 Great golf course in #chigwell Woolston Manor @tallboyracer Used to be home to THE best club in SE England... Country Club & Atlantis! Now it makes do with Sheesh & TOWIE.. @tallboyracer Home to the best of the three local public schools by a country mile.. (Chigwell, Forest, Bancrofts) @JayAsher3 Sheesh is meant to be a good restaurant. Alan Sugar known to have eaten there as a local. @VictorMichaelEA Top 3 tips in Chigwell - Eat at Sheesh owned by Lord Sugar, Drink at King William Pub and See the houses on Manor Road State primaryMost primary schools in and around Chigwell are judged to be “good” by the Ofsted education watchdog although none are “outstanding” and the village school, Chigwell Primary in the High Road, is only judged “satisfactory”. The state secondary schools fare better. The best performing local comprehensives are: West Hatch High (co-ed, ages 11 to 18) in the High Road; Davenant Foundation (co-ed, ages 11 to 18), a Christian school which also accepts Jewish pupils, in Loughton; Debden Park (co-ed, ages 11 to 16) also in Loughton; Trinity Catholic High (co-ed, ages 11 to 18) in Woodford; and Beal High (co-ed, ages 11 to 18) also in Woodford. There are two grammar schools, both of which are judged to be “outstanding”: Woodford County High (girls, ages 11 to 18) in Woodford Green and Ilford County High (boys, ages 11 to 18). There are three private schools that parents find difficult to choose between - Chigwell School (co-ed, ages four to 18) in the High Road; Forest School (co-ed, ages four to 18, with boys and girls taught separately from seven to 16), and Bancroft’s School (co-ed, ages seven to 18) in Woodford Green. Private prep schools include St Aubyn’s School (co-ed, ages three to 13) in Woodford Green; Avon House (co-ed, ages three to 11) in Woodford Green; Loyola RC (boys, three to 11) in Buckhurst Hill, and Woodford Green Prep (co-ed, ages three to 11). Braeside is a girls’ private secondary school (ages three to 16) in Buckhurst Hill. Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Lady Victoria Starmer VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints was walking with two dogs named Riley and Honey Detectives investigating the death of a woman and two dogs in a suspected hit-and-run in Essex Emergency services were called just after 5pm on Friday but Marie was pronounced dead at the scene The suspect is in custody after the incident on Friday Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following the fatal collision Marie's family paid tribute to her in a statement today selfless woman who would do anything for anyone “The dogs Riley and Honey were much loved members of the family May they all rest in perfect peace together “The family ask for their privacy to be respected at this time.” The Metropolitan Police say the driver of the car failed to stop at the scene and the car was located nearby shortly after the collision Anyone with information and any witnesses yet to speak to police are asked to call 101 Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know… Chigwell Construction has secured planning for the Essex builder’s largest housing development to date Epping Forest District Council has just nodded through plans for 62 new homes with 24 affordable units at the Thornwood site The site is the first major approval of development since the Epping Forest area was designated as Special Area of Conservation hampering the council’s ability to approve housing schemes Existing buildings on a field roughly the size of four football pitches will be demolished to make way for the houses and flats Chigwell aims to start the development in the summer and is working very closely with the Council to obtain planning and be in a position to start delivering a number of large sites in the coming months said: “The delivery of the site and the new homes is a deserved win not only for Chigwell Construction but for the immediate benefit to local residents and assists with Epping Forest District Council housing position “We agreed from the outset that we would offer 40% affordable to assist the council with the desperate housing shortage across all aspects of housing delivery added to that 2 hectares of open space and the considerable £1.5m s.106 contributions.”