Drastic changes to a proposed housing estate in Marlow town centre have gone some way to alleviating concerns, residents say.

Changes to the Portland Gardens development include nine more homes, replacing detached housing with more apartments and introducing extra parking, after plans were thrown out by Wycombe District Council in April.

A new area of public green space will be created if the scheme goes ahead, as well as an agreement from developers to protect some of the important trees on the mooted 73-home site.

But despite a raft of positive responses from a public exhibition this week, residents told the MFP issues still remain over access to the new properties and the increased level of traffic in the area.

Julia Baker, retired, from Rookery Court, who saw the plans and said: “Congestion around the town is an issue for me as more people mean more cars. The housing is desperately needed and affordable housing is vital.”

Resident Marianne Lovell said: “The only worry I have is about the entrances to the site; it could potentially be dangerous in that there are so few entrances and if emergency vehicles need entry they may struggle to get in.

“I think there should be a service entrance but overall it is a good development.

“I think we really needed the extra housing so I’m pleased they have made the changes. They have incorporated the green area well in the design and the properties look good as well.

"Nobody used to use the land and now residents will get the chance to use it whenever they want.”

Developer Crest Nicholson says it has taken on board feedback on the previous scheme, which was criticised by WDC during April’s planning hearing.

Tandem parking spaces on the mooted estate have been scrapped, and the application will include more flats than before.

Every flat and house will now also have its own private open space in the shape of a balcony or garden.

As with the previous plans, the row of six houses known as Portland Villas will be kept and redeveloped.

Resident Harry Wale said: “I support the principle but the issues for me are the density of houses and parking provision. The rollover effect of traffic is a concern but they have done a lot to deal with that with on-site parking. I do still worry about the congestion.”

Mark Skoyles, a 39-year-old sports therapist from Marlow, said: “I’ve lived in Marlow all my life and I can only afford to rent here at the moment, so any affordable housing that can be added to the area is great for me.

“The only problem is I’m looking for a three-bedroom [property] and all the affordable houses in the project are two bedrooms.

“I’m pleased that they have maintained some of the green open space." and there is good

Development executive of the project, Glen Dyer, said: “We are pleased with feedback we have received.

"Everything we have done has been to improve the site and the thorough redesign, we feel, will give Portland Gardens a better legacy.

“We will continue to work with council officers and we still need to get planning permission which we hope to have by November and conservation work on the trees still needs to be done.”

There is no date yet set to determine the new plans.