STOP Harlow North

STOP Harlow North is an independent community action group formed in 2004 to oppose unsustainable large-scale development to the north of Harlow, Essex. We are run entirely by volunteers and funded by local donations. We are not affiliated with any political party.

Yes. The entire proposed development area is designated as green belt in the currently adopted Harlow Local Plan. Green belt policy exists to prevent urban sprawl, protect the countryside, and preserve the setting and special character of historic towns. National policy only permits green belt release in truly exceptional circumstances.

The primary promoter of the Harlow North scheme is Ropemaker Properties, working with a consortium of landowning interests. They have been pursuing development on this site in various forms since the early 2000s.

The current masterplan envisages between 8,500 and 10,000 new homes, which would bring an estimated 25,000 additional residents to an area with already strained infrastructure.

While there is acknowledged housing need across the East of England, we argue that releasing green belt land is not the correct response. brownfield sites within the existing urban area, empty properties, and higher-density development on previously developed land should be exhausted first. The council's own brownfield register identifies significant capacity that has not been fully utilised.

Local GP surgeries, schools, and roads are already at or near capacity. The developer's own assessments acknowledge these pressures but propose mitigation measures that are either insufficient or unfunded. Independent analysis commissioned by our group suggests the cumulative impact has been significantly understated.

We are funded entirely by donations from local residents. We do not receive corporate sponsorship or political party funding. Our accounts are presented annually at our AGM and are available for inspection by members.

Absolutely. Many of our volunteers have full-time jobs and families. We offer flexible opportunities ranging from occasional leafleting to remote social media support and weekend event stewarding. Every contribution matters.

When a formal planning application is submitted, you can register an objection on the council's planning portal using the application reference number. We publish step-by-step guides on our Resources page and run workshops to help residents write effective, evidence-based objections.

We are currently an unincorporated association rather than a registered charity, which means donations are not eligible for Gift Aid. We are exploring options for charitable status that would allow us to claim tax relief in the future.