Parents vow to fight house plans (From Bucks Free Press)

Gerrards Cross parents vow to fight housing plans

7:30am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Andy Carswell

PARENTS have set up a campaign group to stop houses being built near a Gerrards Cross school - saying it will destroy playing fields and make crossing the road dangerous.

They are worried plans to build houses opposite Thorpe House School in Oval Way could resurface, after two planning applications were withdrawn last year.

One parent, Jana Hylmarova, said her son was recently hit by a car while walking to school - and fears an increase in traffic caused by any development will make the walk even more dangerous.

She said: "We are very concerned about the effect that any development would have on what is a very busy road junction. The car traffic in Oval Way is already an issue for residents and a danger to the young children."

Other parents are concerned that handing over the land to developers will leave their children without anywhere to play.

The school estate was split in two in 2011 after the death of its founder Maurice Averill, with Thorpe House only being offered the school building and land immediately in front of it.

Land opposite, known as Kingscote, was subject to a separate sale to developers.

Ms Hylmarova said: "It is a very special and beautiful site that provides not just infant school education but also nursery facilities with lots of open space and a dedicated nursery garden. 

"It is a real rarity. We can’t allow it to be lost to property speculation and it should be protected for future generations particularly where playing fields are at a premium. Once lost it can never be replaced."

Fellow parent Linda Cutler added: "Tragically the school has not so far been given the opportunity to acquire the playing fields although for the time being the children are allowed to play there and continue to enjoy the football pitches, nursery  garden and adventure playground before the bulldozers move in and destroy it all."

In July a planning application was submitted to Chiltern District Council to build 14 flats with underground parking.

These were withdrawn - as were subsequent proposals for an eight flat block on the same site.

The campaign group has said it will lobby the authority, and Chalfont St Peter Parish Council, to prevent any planning application being given permission.

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