Chalfont St Peter Parish Council (CSPPC) have declared victory after plans for a major motorway service station near the town were dismissed on appeal.
The Planning Inspectorate government agency rejected the plea from Extra Motorway Services for the scheme, which would have been built on Warren Farm, between junctions 16 and 17 of the M25.
The plans included a retail and food court, a filling station and a 100-bed hotel and would have created over 300 jobs.
This is the end for the scheme, which was first put forward in July 2019, two and a half years ago.
Despite approval from Highways England in November last year, a campaign from CSPPC and village residents meant Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) refused the proposal in June this year.
However, due to them failing to make a decision within the statutory period, the decision was taken out of their hands and places in those of the Planning Inspectorate. An appeal had already been lodged in March by developers.
Nonetheless, the Inspectorate agreed with BCC, finding that the plans would cause “substantial harm” to the Green Belt, “significant harm” to the character and appearance of the area, and “moderate harm” to agricultural land.
The government agency did recommend an alternative site in Iver Heath that would keep the economic benefits of the scheme whilst reducing the harms it would have caused at the Warren Farm location.
Extra Motorway Services did not respond when asked for a comment.
Picture credit Extra Motorways
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