A butcher in Penn said he is ‘overwhelmed’ by the support of residents, customers and councillors who have vowed to ‘win the fight’ against development plans that could see his business close.

Residents turned out in their droves with posters and placards to show their support for Joe Gleeson, who runs J.P Gleeson in Hazlemere Road after it was revealed that the building freeholders plan to extend the house attached to shop.

Mr Gleeson told the Bucks Free Press last week that he fears his business will ‘cease to exist’ after the planning application was submitted to Chiltern District Council.

While the plans promise the retain the butchers, which Mr Gleeson has run for 30 years, he fears a rise in fees and the impact of the building work will force them out of business.

Just last year, hundreds of villagers rallied together to save the shop, which has been trading for 80 years, after the freeholders asked Chiltern District Council for permission to convert the building into a three bedroom home.

More than 150 letters of objection have been submitted against the latest proposals and residents and councillors visited the butchers to show their support yesterday.

Bucks Free Press:

Picture by ARM Images.

Leader of Wycombe District Council Katrina Wood and Tylers Green ward councillor Bill Sadler were present.

Katrina Wood said: “It is my village, I live in Tylers Green so I know how important Joe’s service is to residents here and I see all the great work he does in the community.

“I wanted to show him a bit of support. When this happened last year, I sent a letter of support to Chiltern District Council and I will be sending another this time.

“I know how valuable he is to my residents.”

Pupils and teachers from the Village Pre School also showed their appreciation with a visit to the butchers.

John Mepham, who lives near the butchers in Hazlemere Road, said: “We want to let the council know that we really need this service from him. He is not just a brilliant butcher; he is a wonderful asset to this community.

“When you think back to how many local, independent shops we have lost in the village over the years, it is staggering and so, so wrong.

“I know people who travel to this butchers from Flackwell Heath, Loudwater and Holmer Green. We won the fight last year, now we have to win the fight again.”

Robert Robinson, from Penn and Tylers Green residents association, said: “He has huge local support because he does a fantastic service for the community and he is so well liked by everyone. I dread to think how many people will be adversely affected if the shop closes.”

Tylers Green resident Sue Brash said: “I felt I had to get involved this time because I don’t want this to happen again. It is awful for everyone. Joe is so, so generous. You can see how much this shop means to Joe and all the residents.”

Overwhelmed by the support, Joe Gleeson said: “If you were to ask what being part of a community looks like, it is this. People want us to stay and we want to stay and carry on achieving what we have been doing for the last 30 years.

“It is nice to see so many people turning out to support us once again and it is very humbling to read all the kind words and heartfelt objections that have been submitted.

“One objection letter would have been amazing, but 150 is incredible. Every objection means so much to me.

“We never thought we would need to call on residents for their support in keeping us here.”

The building’s freeholders have not yet responded to requests for comment.