Amendments have been made to a controversial planning application to build 10,000 square foot of offices in Beaconsfield Old Town, with a chartered surveyor from the area now refuting claims that the town is ‘dying’.

Picking up issues on parking and traffic flow amongst other concerns raised during a public meeting, property consultants Bidwells – working on behalf of Hall Barn Estate – have now submitted changed plans to South Bucks District Council for review.

Whilst discussing a proposal to build a large office building and four homes off London End, some claimed there were already too many empty offices in the town while retail shops were fading away.

However, a director from Beaconsfield-based surveyor Philip Marsh Collins Deung, has claimed businesses are continually looking for space in the town.

In a letter sent to Bidwells in February, Nick Ball said there was only about five per cent of space left empty and available immediately in the town.

He added: “This extremely low stock availability does not facilitate existing occupiers to move around the town easily when expanding or contracting and does not encourage those from outside of the area to locate in Beaconsfield, only seek alternative space in neighbouring towns.”

Included in the office space currently listed as available is Grosvenor House, in Horseshoe Crescent, which over two sites adds up to more than 9,000sqft of office space.

At the meeting resident John Storey said: “We used to have butcher, a baker a candlestick maker, and all the rest, and gradually all the buildings have been overtaken by offices.

“There are a few shops left but one or two are dying now. I suggest to you that offices are not the answer for the Old Town.”

Following the discussion at the town hall in February, “slight” changes have been made to the plans according to Beaconsfield Town Council leader Alan Walters.

He believes the application is likely to go to SBDC planning committee and thinks it will be heard on April 1.

For more information about Philip Marsh Collins Deung visit www.pmcd.co.uk