Many residents have voiced their objections to plans for nearly 1,000 homes on green belt land in Chalfont St Peter.
The plans submitted by the Epilepsy Society are for up to 975 homes at the charity’s headquarters on Chesham Lane, as well as up to 75 care accommodation beds, new primary school provision, retail and employment provision, reprovision of sports pitches, landscaping, car parking provision and associated works.
Many residents have objected to the proposals, including one villager who argues that the green belt should be protected.
Speaking to CHALFONTS&GERRARDSCROSSnews, the resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “Once it’s gone, it’s gone and it’s not coming back. We will lose our valuable green belt.
“People walk across the green belt all the time. We’ve heard so much during lockdown about mental health and exercise being vital for our wellbeing. There are also habitats and species there that would be destroyed. It is so out of keeping with the area.”
The resident also expressed concerns about the strain the proposed extra homes would put on local infrastructure.
They added: “We are also not capable of coping with the significant increase in traffic. We already have a huge waiting list for our doctors and dentists.”
Residents, businesses and stakeholders were invited to attend a public exhibition on September 6 to find out more about the proposals and discuss them with Epilepsy Society’s project team.
Clare Pelham, chief executive of the Epilepsy Society, said: “We were very pleased to welcome more than 300 neighbours to our public exhibition. It was an important opportunity to hear their comments about our proposals to develop just under 40 per cent of our estate, and to appreciate their priorities as a community. We will be taking these on board as we progress with our plans.
“We also hope it was a chance for people to understand why, as a locally based national charity, it is critical we make best use of our assets for people with epilepsy. We are working in a difficult funding environment and have been making annual losses. This planning application would safeguard the charity and ensure that it can continue to deliver life-transforming epilepsy research.”
Feedback can be submitted to Buckinghamshire Council online until the application is determined by searching reference PL/22/2898/OA on pa.chilternandsouthbucks.gov.uk/online-applications
Buckinghamshire Council has been contacted for comment.
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