Making feelings clear: Residents forming the Bassetsbury Area Protection Group launch their campaign to save green land Keep off beauty spot campaign launched RESIDENTS launched a 'keep off the grass' campaign to fight plans to develop a beauty spot.

The Bassetsbury Area Protection Group, made up of residents from Bowden Lane, Deangarden Rise, Kingsmead Road, and surrounding High Wycombe roads, launched their campaign on Saturday.

They are campaigning to stop Wycombe District Council's plans for 200 homes in Abbey Barn North; 200 on Abbey Barn South along with a business park and hotel; and 300 homes and a retail warehouse on the Wycombe Marsh sewage works.

Group chairman Nigel Mossman said: "BAPG aims to ensure that the views of local residents can be represented and to prevent development from taking place which will harm this unique area of High Wycombe.

"Abbey Barn North contains a biological notification site and contains numerous plants like orchids. The site and surrounding woodland are home to wild animals which will be affected.

"The council Local Plan calls for the development of a retail warehouse outside the town centre which will have an impact on established local businesses. This site will lead to more traffic making use of the A40."

He said the proposed plans would put the Bassetsbury area of High Wycombe at the centre of a major building site but the council never gave residents enough time to respond to the deposit plan.

Resident Nikki Heath, 27, of Springwater Mill, said: "All residents from Springwater Mill are furious that Thames Water and the council have no respect for the environment. The traffic congestion and extra houses will affect us dramatically."

A district council spokesman said: "The Local Plan guides land use and development in our areas, and is required to meet the housing targets laid down in the county council Structure Plan. It is about balancing these needs for land with environmental considerations and the need for sustainability.

"The Local Plan aims to make the very best use of brownfield sites within the district, of which Wycombe Marsh sewage works is the largest such site."

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