Hughenden: homes plan fails and link road revealed by Wycombe District Council (From Bucks Free Press)

Hughenden: homes plan fails and link road revealed by Wycombe District Council

5:01pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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A DEVELOPER has lost an appeal to build houses on the former De La Rue printing site – as council bosses unveiled plans for a new £2.5m road through the site.

P J Carey Ltd appealed against Wycombe District Council’s decision to reject proposals to build 158 new homes on the Coates Lane site.

But the national Planning Inspectorate today dismissed the appeal over its design and impact on the protected Hughenden area of outstanding natural beauty.

The homes would have formed part of the council's plans to revitalise the area alongside the adjoining Compair site, which is currently under development.

The inspector said the principle of the plans were acceptable and ‘most components’ were ‘in keeping with their surroundings’ (see link, bottom of story for full report).

Yet it said one flat block, block A, which would overlook the park, was too big and would have a ‘damaging effect on the open landscape to the north of the site’.

The developer was unavailable for comment this afternoon.

Hughenden Park Estate Residents Association chairman Steve Woods welcomed the move as the block would have been ‘overbearing’.

He said: “We're pleased the planning inspectorate took our views into consideration – but we're not against the development if they scaled it down.

“The current state of the De La Rue site, with all the smashed windows and weeds, is terrible and they need to sort it out sooner rather than later.”

And he welcomed a new £2.5m link road plan, for a single lane carriageway off the Hughenden Road roundabout with Bellfield Road, by Morrisons supermarket, through to Hughenden Avenue (see link below).

Mr Woods said: “It is a great idea because a lot of people around here walk or cycle into town. Hopefully it will help relieve the traffic on Hughenden Road.”

The road would run alongside the Hughenden stream through the Compair and De La Rue sites. It would feature a bus stop and public footpath.

Bosses say the road will provide an “attractive and safe” walking and cycling route and help ease congestion on Hughenden Road. It could later be extended through the site.

A consultation on the road will launch on Monday until April 1 and will include an exhibition at High Wycombe Library and its offices in Queen Victoria Road.

Buckinghamshire New University will contribute to the cost of the road as part of its planning permission to build student accommodation nearby.

Click the links below for more.