CONTROVERSIAL plans for more than 250 homes in Little Chalfont have been given the go-ahead after an appeal was allowed.

Residents describe Bell Lane, where the new development will be built, as a “rat run” and said they were concerned at the impact the number of new residents would have on schools.

Chiltern District Council originally refused planning permission for the 253 new dwellings.

But developers Dove Properties objected to the decision - and after an appeal, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears granted permission, subject to no fewer than 25 conditions being met.

These include Dove Properties making an “appropriate” financial contribution to educational facilities.

Little Chalfont Parish Council’s Planning Committee chairman, Chris Ingham, said: “What people were worried about was there might be additional pressure on school places.

“Any money provided should be spread over other schools and not just Bell Lane Secondary School.”

A report by Ms Blears said “a suitably designed and landscaped residential scheme need not harm the character and appearance of Little Chalfont or its setting”.

The 253 new dwellings is the maximum Dove Properties is allowed to build.

None of the new houses can be built until new access roads are put in place.

Cllr Ingham said: “When the appeal came up we sent something in writing saying we did object to it, because of the extra demand on infrastructure and traffic.

“It is a big development - we were worried of the consequences on the infrastructure and transport on the local roads. These are the concerns we and a lot of people had.”