I was interested in your feature 05/09/2014 (p.23) on the Black Prince in Wycombe Road, Princes Risborough where Ms Tollitt, head of planning and sustainability refused a small housing development because of “jarring and incongruous alignment... to the existing street scene.”

This would be the same Ms Tollitt whose office appear to be enthusiastic to progress a far larger development on Slate Meadow, a pleasant and popular piece of countryside. The local authority own part of the meadow and if they were to sell to developers they would cede any future responsibility for it. Ms Tollitt has told local residents that it is necessary to build due to housing need and likely to boost local economy. She is aware that the area is on a flood plain.

On the same day I received a letter from a property company enquiring if I wished to sell or rent my house which is adjacent to Slate Meadow. Their perspective is that there is increased demand from those seeking second homes and from London commuters attracted to good communication routes. It is also an opportunity for developers to rent out properties at inflated rates to people who are genuinely in housing need.

Two very different perspectives which are difficult to reconcile. A development on Slate Meadow would be in my view an “incongruous alignment” to the existing environment. – Mr K Ahier, Frank Lunnon Close, Bourne End