Mammoth plans for up to 680 new homes in the greenbelt of Stoke Poges have fetched a powerfully worded objection from the MP.
The plans centre around a golf course and involve changes to the course, new public open space, play areas and new access from Wexham Street.
It is broken into different applications, including one for up to 450 homes at Gallions Park, (ref PL/26/06178/0A) and another for up to 230 homes at Wexham Grange (ref PL/26/06177/0A).
The exact number of homes, and the mix of sizes, types and tenures, would be determined through future reserved matters applications, along with the parking provision.
Both sites are also close to Burnham Beeches, which could be impacted.
The sites are on greenbelt land – but the developer, Hawridge Strategic Land, argues that it should be classified as ‘grey belt’ land.
It is partly made up of previously developed land, including hardstanding from footpaths and other features across the golf course, as well as buildings and vehicle storage areas.
Hawridge Strategic Land argues that the area should be prioritised for allocation in the emerging Bucks Local Plan over other green sites that do not meet the grey belt criteria.
It is offering 50 per cent affordable housing – above what is required.
Hawridge further argues that the emerging Buckinghamshire Local Plan is still at an early stage and could take years to be adopted.
It says homes on sustainable and suitable sites such as this should therefore be approved quickly to help increase housing supply and address the current shortfall in the Chiltern and South Bucks area.
The larger of the sites, near Wexham Park Hospital, extends about 28 hectares, and incorporates an 18-hole golf course.
Building heights here would vary across the site, from 1.5-storey buildings (up to 7m) to three-storey buildings (up to 11m).
An area of ancient woodland is nearby, as is the grade II-listed Bell Farmhouse.
The proposals include a new priority junction from Wexham Street and pedestrian and cycle connections through the site.
The smaller application, near to Stoke Poges Nuffield Health leisure centre, extends about 15.69 hectares and currently forms a nine-hole golf course.
It is the denser of the two developments, likely between 30 and 40 homes per hectare, and building heights would vary from two storeys (9m) to 2.5 storeys (10m).
This site is near to the grade II listed Old Cottage and grade II listed Plough Public House.
It could possibly accommodate a primary school with one class for each year group.
Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey has lodged objections to both planning proposals, describing them as ‘large and inappropriate’ developments that would cause ‘significant and unacceptable harm’ to the character of the area, as well as mature and ancient trees.
Ms Morrissey also raised concerns about the capacity of local schools, GP surgeries and other healthcare services to handle the influx of additional residents.
She said a development of this size would ‘inevitably increase vehicle movements, congestion and pedestrian traffic’ on roads predominantly rural in character.
Ms Morrissey also decried the loss of the sporting facilities, saying these are ‘used extensively by local residents, schools, juniors, families and golfers of all abilities and disabilities.’
Farnhams & Stoke Poges ward councillors Dev Dhillon and Thomas Hogg (Con) have also objected to the proposals.
In his objection to the Gallions Park proposal, Cllr Hogg argued the ‘site cannot meet the national definition of grey belt’.
He added: “Wexham Street has repeatedly been treated as a small rural greenbelt settlement where only limited infilling within the defined settlement is acceptable, not as a location for outward expansion across the surrounding greenbelt.”
Meanwhile, Stoke Poges Parish Council has said it is working on a ‘detailed and comprehensive’ objection, focusing on issues such as impact on the greenbelt, traffic, healthcare provision and pressure on schools.