ANOTHER bid to turn a derelict service station in Little Kingshill into a motel ended in failure again last night.
The proposal was to redevelop the Deep Mill station into a 27 bedroom motel, along with car parking and new access onto the London Road.
It is the fifth time the scheme, from Lombard Hotels, has come before Chiltern District Council's Planning Committee.
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But despite amendments that reduced the height of the building, permission was refused once more over fears of the impact on the Green Belt and the Chiltern Area of Natural Beauty.
The scheme had support from Little Missenden and Little Kingshill Parish Council's as well as the Chiltern Conservation Board.
District councillor Andrew Garnett spoke at the meeting in favour of the plan.
He said: "What stands here now is an eyesore - the petrol station has not been used in many years. It sits at the gateway to the AONB - what a welcome our visitors get. Chiltern Conservation Board is supportive of the application. They believe it is a positive step forward to the site.
"Lombard Hotels has the overwhelming support of the community."
Cllr Peter Jones referred to the planning inspectors report, which still said there was no need for a motel in this location.
He said: "I don't see any evidence that says there has to be a hotel here an nowhere else. It is inappropriate to both Green belt and Area of National Beauty policy. I think that's the most material planning consideration ahead of us."
Cllr Don Phillips, chairman of the committee, said: "The words that come up time and time again are inappropriate development', and there are no special circumstances to outweigh the harm."
Ten councillors voted to turn the scheme down, while two voted in its favour.
Surely it is not a planning consderation whether a motel is "needed" or not. That should be up to the business that wants to buid the motel. I have driven past that site many times and I think a new motel would look a lot better than a disused and derelict service station. It would b an improvemet not a detriment!
Surely it is not a planning consderation whether a motel is "needed" or not. That should be up to the business that wants to buid the motel. I have driven past that site many times and I think a new motel would look a lot better than a disused and derelict service station. It would b an improvemet not a detriment!
Posted by: mariamar mcglinchey, high wycombe on 11:27am Fri 9 May 08
Well, Lucky you people in both Kingshills, You have been listened to by the Council's Planning Department. It must be due to the fact that at least One of "them" that I know of lives very near by. I wish I was still living in Great Kingshill where Planning applications are turned down because of their overpowering
Height!!! Not such luck in Wycome, where I now reside, but then we do not have members of the Planning Department residing in or near our community!!
Well, Lucky you people in both Kingshills, You have been listened to by the Council's Planning Department. It must be due to the fact that at least One of "them" that I know of lives very near by. I wish I was still living in Great Kingshill where Planning applications are turned down because of their overpowering
Height!!! Not such luck in Wycome, where I now reside, but then we do not have members of the Planning Department residing in or near our community!!
Posted by: Hans Schmidt, High Where on 6:08pm Fri 9 May 08
While I agree that the old filling station is an eyesore, why not knock it down and plant some trees? Is it really essential that something is built there?
While I agree that the old filling station is an eyesore, why not knock it down and plant some trees? Is it really essential that something is built there?
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