Long-standing plans to build hundreds of homes in Princes Risborough faced another setback this week after councillors agreed they were “minded to” refuse proposals.

Developers Halsbury Homes have been trying to build on Park Mill Farm, near the Chilterns AONB, for more than a decade – with three proposals thrown out since 2007.

Preliminary plans to build up to 500 on the site, and then a separate application for the first 150 homes of the development, were presented to Wycombe District Council’s (WDC) planning committee on Wednesday (February 13).

However, as the developers have lodged an appeal over WDC’s failure to decide the future of the latest development, the planning committee was unable to come to an official conclusion on Wednesday.

The councillors agreed that, had they been able to make a decision, they would have refused both applications due to “insufficient transport information” which could ultimately engager road users.

The scheme was also criticised for failing to provide “appropriate affordable housing”, sustainable transport options and infrastructure.

A final decision will be made by the planning inspectorate during a public hearing in September.

Planning officer at WDC, Lucy Bellinger, said: “The applicant has lodged an appeal against the non-determination of these two applications.

“We therefore can’t issue a decision on these two applications, because they will be decided by the planning inspectorate at a public enquiry that’s been fixed for September later this year.

“Both these appeals will be heard at the same time.

“The whole of the Park Mill farm site is allocated for housing in our 2004 local plan and the site is also located in the Princes Risborough expansion area.

“There’s extensive planning history, and we have had three planning appeals dismissed and the most recent one being 2017.

“There’s no objection to the principle of residential development on the site, however it is considered that both applications would be contrary to the development plan and the emerging local plan in a number of respects.”