A PLAN to build 84 homes and a new church building in Amersham was rejected by Chiltern District Council tonight.
The scheme also proposed more community facilities and affordable housing at the site, off Raans Road.
It was opposed by nearby residents at the meeting of the council's Planning Committee.
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The development was put forward by Cala Homes, which is working in partnership with King's Church, currently based off Old Amersham's High Street.
Some residents feared the proposals for the former Raans Road School site would cause traffic problems and wouldn't provide enough public space, particularly for young people.
The school's former football field would be lost if the project went ahead.
Councillor Jane Bramwell thought the promised community facilities were not enough to justify the development.
She said: "I have always been taught to beware of Greeks bearing gifts."
She also believed a "multi use games area", which would be available for organised groups, should have extended opening times, and that the public should be able to use it at no cost.
Cllr Bramwell said: "Otherwise we're just being offered another commercial sports facility, which will be no use to the kids."
She also expressed reservations about the design of the proposed affordable housing.
She said: "I think it will impact very badly on other people living in Amersham."
It was also feared that the new church building, with a 500-seat auditorium, could cause major parking problems. The plans currently have 65 parking spaces allocated for the building.
Cllr John Wertheim said: "I'm delighted to see we have got positive development, but I'm sorry to say, if we have got a thriving church we have got to think about the number of people who are going to come to it."
Much of the project's support has come from members of the King's Church, which has been looking for a new home for more than 20 years.
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