IN THE aftermath of a very poor turn out for the local elections and whether it is the public or the councillors who count; the report on the Downley Parish Council meeting may not have been noticed by many BFP readers.

Downley residents expressed their concern about the proposal for a very high density development on the former Middle School site that Bucks CC has sold to the developer.

The WDC design brief has indicative capacity of 50 dwellings but the developer suggests that 70 dwellings might be the target - a 40 per cent increase. The developer had some statements in the application which caused alarm among residents, and access, on-site parking and growing congestion in Downley, were other areas of concern. Lack of school places, the responsibility of Bucks CC, is already a major problem with siblings attending different schools adding to traffic flow, which is also the responsibility of Bucks CC.

Once again a developer has submitted a very high density application, which residents cannot support. This is the fourth such application in Downley; two were refused by WDC but on appeal the Government inspector approved one. Another developer, who also purchased an old school site from Bucks CC, accepted the views of residents and is preparing a new application.

What will happen with the old Middle School Site? Would a unitary council better consider all implications of high density development? Will the views of the public count?

One of Downley's two district councillors, who is also a county councillor, was present at the parish council meeting and is aware of her constituents views.

All BFP readers should be interested in future events, there may be lessons for the ward they live in.

Brian Gilbert A very concerned resident