The OId School House on Coppice Row, Theydon Bois, will be turned into two houses despite local opposition

11:11am Thursday 18th April 2013 in Epping Forest

By Zoie O’Brien, Reporter

A businessman has been granted permission to turn an old school house into two separate houses despite objection from local residents.

The decision over the Old School House, Theydon Bois, was made last night by Epping Forest District Council’s Planning Committee which agreed that the changes were sympathetic .

Councillor Sue Jones supported the application saying that granting permission would be the only way to secure the future of the idyllic old building which sits on green belt land and is locally listed.

She said: “This is the very best way to secure the preservation of the building.

“It is a sympathetic extension, it will enhance the building.

“There has been significant objection from people in the village. But, I think that it is worth noting that the people living in close proximity to the building are the people who have written in support.”

The committee was told at the meeting that the reason for the extension and conversion into two homes was that the business running from the site had been hit by the recession.

Peter Gauntlett, owner of the Old School House, runs a watch making business, but since the recession he has had to make cuts.

Mr Gauntlett was forced to consider moving to smaller premises and after failing to sell the school house, felt as though conversion into homes was the only option available.

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