Controversial plans to build a large office building and four homes on land in Beaconsfield Old Town should be withdrawn and resubmitted after a series of changes, a leading councillor has said.

During a meeting at the town hall last Thursday, property consultants Bidwells presented an amended proposal for a possible development near the Millbarn Medical Centre, off London End.

The original plans had been criticised by some in the town, with fears over the affect it will have on the surgery, local trade, traffic and residential properties.

And Beaconsfield Town Council leader, councillor Alan Walters, has now called on the developers to withdraw their application from South Bucks District Council, after they made a number of changes.

Bidwells, who are representing Hall Barn Estate, later said this was unlikely and hinted a new consultation could be on the cards instead, if they amend their current plan.

After hearing the development presentation and a public question and answer session, Cllr Walters questioned Bidwells’ partner Daniel Jones about where they go next.

He said: “I would ask that you withdraw your application and come back and talk to the likes of Millbarn, the likes of The Swan and the town itself.

“There are a lot of alterations going on here and I think it would be worthwhile actually sitting down with people, getting these things out in the air before you come back with another application.

“We are not here to stop development but we are here to listen to the town’s people and hear what they want, and see how it fits in with them.

“This is different from the first one, different from the second one; we have asked you the question as a council, if you could do that, go back and talk get some more discussion going on this, it could change things.”

However, Bidwells representative Mr Jones felt more discussions could prove futile, but said they would continue discussions with the Millbarn Medical Centre and The Swan throughout the consultation period.

He said: “We haven’t heard one positive comment really in terms of the actual development here tonight, so to be honest there wouldn’t be an awful lot of point in having a great big open discussion on what should go on that site.

“[If residents could decide] it will either be a car park or shops and I have tried to explain the whole reason behind it.

“The chances are, just being realistic and trying to be respectful, we will definitely go back to the doctors, we will talk further with Laurie [Othen, The Swan owner] and we will take on board all the points from today.

“But the chances are we will be amending it not withdrawing and resubmitting and there are all sorts of reasons why that will be the case - our hands are tied.”