FEARS are growing over the impact of a huge new development in the heart if Marlow town centre after long-awaited plans were submitted to the council.

A proposal to build and renovate total of 69 homes in Portland Gardens has attracted criticism over the design, access and impact on traffic.

And conservation groups are worried the large number of houses will simply create an insular, 'gated community' behind the High Street.

The Chiltern Society's John Harris said: "With its many detached houses, this proposal is more suitable for a suburban site. It adds nothing to the centre of Marlow.

"The provision of public pedestrian routes through the scheme is inadequate.

"The layout is inward looking and defensive. It might just as well be a gated development.

"This is the last large undeveloped site in the centre of Marlow. It is a missed opportunity."

Neighbours say the number of parking spaces provided will cause havoc in surrounding streets as new residents spill out of the development.

Paul Partelides, who owns a property on Barley Way which borders the site, said in his objection: "I would be supportive of plans in keeping with the character of the area (the Brewery development next door is a good example) but am concerned by the proposed density of housing, and in particular its impact on local traffic.

"I recognize the economic incentives of the developer that this serves, but the proposals must also strike a balance with the wider needs of the local community to develop the area in a responsible manner.

"The proposed plans do not, in my view, come close to doing this."

Mr Partelides also called for double yellow lines to be painted on all roads leading to the development to stop new residents spilling out into the rest of the crowded town centre.

Developer Crest Nicholson wants to keep six houses known as Portland Villas and create 63 new homes, including 44 two bedroom properties under its obligation to provide affordable housing.

But the scheme, the largest of its kind in the town centre since the renovation of the nearby Wethered Brewery, will also feature 16 three and four bedroom properties and eight five bedroom houses.

Despite the objections, the project has also attracted widespread support from Marlovians keen to see the area redeveloped.

Wycombe District Council has specifically earmarked the area for new housing, with its former owner John Lewis Partnership failing in its bid to build a supermarket there.

Existing vehicle access from the High Street would be closed off to traffic, except emergency vehicles.

And a link road to West Street - long on the cards - was shelved by the council last year, with access now coming from Malthouse Way to the south.

Crest Nicholson says parking spaces follow council guidelines, with 119 spaces overall - an average of 1.72 parking spaces per property.

And a traffic survey carried out as part of the proposal claims the impact on the surrounding road network would be 'minimal'.

Spokesman Nick Kilby insists fears and potential hurdles have been dealt with at length with the council before the application was submitted, as well as at a public consultation in April.

He said: "We have raised with the council the need for parking measures to be reviewed in the area. There will be sufficient parking on the development and we will share the concerns with those that have power in road traffic measures.

"We have tried to draw on the historic influences around Marlow. We could put more housing there, but that would mean more cars, more traffic.

"We're respecting heritage but creating something that suits the people who want to live there, while not overdeveloping the site."

WDC is due to rule on the plans in November.