Controversial new plans to build over former green belt sites in Bourne End have been slammed by campaigners and residents.

The draft Local Plan, which was revealed exclusively in the Bucks Free Press last week, showed the village will be taking on 750 new homes if given the green light.

Slate Meadow has already been released for development and other green belt sites for development include a large area of land at Hollands Farm.

Penny Drayton, 38, of Hawks Hill, from the Don't Destroy Bourne End campaign group branded the plan “totally detrimental” to the village, saying the plans did not consider issues such as extra school and GP surgery spaces, as well as traffic conditions.

She said: “We are very unhappy about the news. This is not a suitable solution for the area, it is just not feasible.

“There is no plan for further school spaces, nor more doctor’s surgery spaces. It will add to all the traffic issues too. There has been no consideration into any of this in the plans as far as we can see.

“We agree that housing needs to be brought in but not like this. It will affect the whole village.”

Ms Drayton also said the loss of the former green belt sites would have a “very negative” impact on the village and would set a precedent for other green spaces in the region to be released for more development.

Nicola Nicholson, 38, of Stratford Drive, from the Save Slate Meadow campaign group echoed Ms Drayton’s thoughts, saying: “We already have far too much congestion and this is only going to make it worse.

“The doctor’s surgery is already packed and this will make it much worse. I don’t understand why they want to build on the green belt when there are brownfield sites there to build on.

“I feel like they are destroying our green land around here and taking the area out of the green belt is unacceptable. It is really wrong.

“It feels like it is about politics which is really unfair on the local community. I don’t know how they sleep at night. It’s disgusting.”

The plan went out for public consultation this week with thousands of people like Ms Drayton and Ms Nicholson expected to voice concerns over the changes they will see on their doorsteps.

Ms Drayton added: “This is something that all the villagers feel very passionately about. It is totally detrimental long-term. This particular spot will not be able to cope with it.”