Wycombe District Council will not extend the deadline for comments on the draft local plan, despite pleas from worried residents.

Last week, the Bucks Free Press reported that residents in Parsons Walk in Holmer Green are rallying together to oppose plans to develop on land surrounding their cul-de-sac.

Their road backs on to Tralee Farm, which has been earmarked for development in the new draft housing plan by Wycombe District Council, while on the other side of the road, Skimmers Orchard - which comes under Chiltern District Council - is also being considered as a proposed development site in their own local plan.

The group – Save Hazlemere and Holmer Green - pleaded with Wycombe District Council to extend the August 8 deadline and move it in line with Chiltern District Council’s likely consultation period, which is expected to begin at the end of October.

Sue Robinson, a spokesman for WDC, said a deadline extension would not be possible but reassured residents that the councils would work together to come up with “joined up” planning.

She said: “Our district wide local plan consultation explores a range of options and is helping us to gather views and listen to local concerns such as those at Holmer Green.

“We are looking closely at the infrastructure implications at all sites as part of our process.

We are not able to extend the deadline in a specific area as we are working to a tight schedule on a district wide plan with a view to submitting the draft plan early next year.

“The Hazlemere area is on the edge of the District and two of the sites in our current local plan consultation share a boundary with Chiltern District where there is additional land to consider. We have been working closely with Chiltern District Council on a range of issues which could affect these two sites to come up with joined up and comprehensive planning.”

Charlie Daniels, who lives in Parsons Walk, said she was “very concerned” that the council have refused to extend the deadline.

She said: “I am disappointed in Wycombe District Council. I get there is protocol they have to go by but how dare they hold only one meeting in our area about this and then give a deadline in the middle of the summer holidays?

“The whole thing seems very underhand and I'm very angry about this. Someone in their wisdom set the deadline when people are going to be away on holiday. They should delay the deadline until September at least.”

The campaign group is still urging concerned residents to object to the plans because of the impact they could have on traffic, doctor surgeries and schools.

  • Go to www.wycombe.gov.uk/newlocalplan for more information – land off Amersham Road (including Tralee Farm) is referenced as HW8 in the draft plan. Comments can be made as part of the consultation by emailing newlocalplan@wycombe.gov.uk or at www.wycombe.gov.uk/haveyoursay until midnight on Monday, August 8.