WELCOME TO FELSTED
Located in north-west Essex and with a population of around 3,000, the Parish of Felsted has at its heart the historic village of Felsted, surrounded by Greens and Hamlets, in a beautiful rural setting.
Felsted retains the underlying charm and attraction of a rural parish, with the community and village at its heart. This is what attracts people to the area and what we as the Parish Council see as our historic duty to protect. Preservation of our heritage is balanced with a duty to ensure that the Parish thrives and meets the future needs of our community.
Winner of RCCE Village of the Year 2015
“One of the best places to live in the East of England” – The Sunday Times (2013)
LATEST NEWS
Travellers’ Development at Willows Green
The purpose of this note is to offer a brief factual update on the activity of travellers at Willows Green and Milch Hill.
As many of you will know, over the May Bank Holiday weekend, travellers entered part of a meadow they have purchased at Willows Green and began developing the site as a permanent travellers’ site for circa 12 caravans and associated vehicles.
No planning application had been submitted before the development. (As of 10th July, no retrospective application has been seen by Felsted Parish Council.)
Following the holiday weekend, Uttlesford District Council (UDC) immediately sought and obtained a High Court injunction preventing any further development. UDC also obtained a pre-emptive injunction preventing any similar development on a site at Milch Hill, which appears to be in similar ownership.
The injunction on the Willows Green site has now been extended by the High Court for 2 years. A further hearing in relation to the site at Milch Hill is expected on the 29th of July. UDC are represented by experienced counsel.
Since the incursion at Willows Green, Felsted Parish Council has been in regular communication with both UDC and a well-structured residents’ group. We have also been in contact with our MP James Cleverly and with the Essex Police.
Several breaches of the injunction appear to have occurred and have been reported to UDC as the planning authority. UDC is continually assessing whether the alleged breaches provide sufficient evidence to support action for contempt of court.
Felsted Parish Council and UDC agree that the development on the Willows Green site is a flagrant breach of Planning Regulations and should cease and the meadow restored. The Parish Council will continue to offer support and will vigorously object to any application or retrospective planning application submitted for either site.
UDC have informed the parish that they are well-resourced and are monitoring the situation at Willows Green carefully and will seek the full power of the law to end the breaches. However, there are considerable legal hurdles to overcome before we can hope to see an end to the unlawful use and the meadow restored.
Residents in Willows Green are well organised. Other residents who observe any relevant activity are advised to report their direct observations to UDC, via either: On line at: https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/article/5809/Report-a-possible-breach-of-planning-regulations
Or Email at: ku.vog.drofselttu@tnemecrofne
Felsted Focus Magazine Summer 2026
The latest edition of the magazine can be downloaded here.
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Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Public Meeting
Residents of Uttlesford district are invited to attend a public meeting hosted by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex, to discuss local crime and community safety issues.
The meeting will take place on Monday 6th July at Saffron Walden Town Hall, Market St, Saffron Walden CB10 1HZ, starting at 7pm to 8pm.
It will give residents the opportunity to hear about the latest community safety activity in the district and raise concerns directly with those responsible for keeping Essex safe.
Roger Hirst will be joined by representatives from Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service who will provide updates on local policing, fire safety, and partnership work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. There will also be a Q&A session with the panel.
The meeting is open to all Uttlesford district residents, everyone is welcome to attend. No booking is required.