Traffic and overdevelopment blighting town says residents' society

The Beaconsfield Society held its AGM last night, with chairmen Mike Elliott praising members’ work in effecting change throughout the area.

But Mr Elliott, who was unanimously appointed as chairman for another year, warned there was still a great deal to do to ensure a brighter future for residents.

He said: “Again this year our influence on planning matters has continued, if not getting refusals then bringing about alterations to applications.

“But there is still much to do. Traffic in the town is only getting worse and it is getting more difficult to stop the tide of overdevelopment.”

The society’s annual meeting also saw praise for outgoing vice-president Sandy Saunders, the current mayor of Beaconsfield, and long-term treasurer Tony Bristow.

Mr Elliott revealed and agreement had been struck with Bucks County Council to authorise a team of society members to clean up the town.

This gives the society powers to remove signs and banners which are deemed illegal, and which members claim are cluttering and blighting the landscape of Beaconsfield.

Sheila Newland received the society’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ award for her tireless work over the years in the Beaconsfield performing arts scene.

And the ‘Building of the Year’ prize was shared by Shanly Homes for its Taverley Place project in the Old town and the new Guides HQ, built with input from throughout the community.

Members and guests at Beaconsfield Town Hall gave their ideas for areas on which the society should focus for the coming year.

Deborah Sanders claimed Beaconsfield does too little to exploit the potential of the town’s open spaces, and called for more accessibility and provision for young people.

And Mr Elliott revealed that after the success of this year’s Enid Blyton week celebrations, the Beaconsfield Society’s literary event for next year would focus on World War One poets to mark the centenary of the start of the conflict.