Angry residents have hit out after a road was “destroyed” by HGVs driving up and down it while a golf range was being expanded.

An “extremely contentious” plan to expand Wycombe Heights golf centre – which lies in green belt and AONB land in Rayners Avenue, Loudwater – was given the green light in 2016 despite councillors raising concerns that residents would be “living through a nightmare” during construction.

Now, resident William Watson has criticised the move, saying Rayners Avenue “now resembles a golf course” as a result of up to 60 HGVs driving up and down the road for the works.

He said: “Assurances were given to the local people that the work would not inconvenience the local residents.

“Gradually Rayners Avenue has been destroyed by the vehicles including the footpaths, verges and drains.

“Councillors have been contacted but all hands appeared to be tied, with no formal action being taken.

“The Wycombe district enforcement officer is powerless to stop the lorries ruining the road. The road now resembles a golf course with various holes and mud hazards.

“When will something be done to stop my neighbourhood being destroyed?”

But Wycombe District Council defended its decision to give planning permission, saying: “An earlier planning application for more substantial development had previously been considered at a planning appeal.

“The planning inspector noted that concern was raised regarding the potential noise and disturbance from the number of lorries travelling along Rayners Avenue.

“She concluded, however, that the works would be for a temporary period and the timing of the delivery of material could be controlled by planning conditions.

“On this basis she did not find that it would be reasonable to refuse permission because of the passage of construction traffic.

“When the planning committee considered the application for the much smaller development proposal to level the driving range they had regard to the Inspector’s view and reached a similar conclusion.

“The works to implement this permission have been underway for some time now and the contractor has adhered to the routes and timing required by the relevant planning conditions.

“The recent severe weather conditions have resulted in significant damage to roads all across the county, including Rayners Avenue.

“The highway authority, Bucks County Council, is currently working hard to repair the road network.”