A MAJOR development that would see much of an existing site levelled to make way for 38 residential properties has been refused.

A planning application with designs for Model Farm, on Gorelands Lane, in Chalfont St Peter, has been defeated on several points – not least its remote location and ‘car dependency’.

The applicant, D Croft Transport Ltd, sought to convert the existing Chalfont Shire Centre and Chiltern Equine Clinic into 20 new homes, and to erect 18 apartments once the current residential properties had been demolished.

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The site also consists of a car repair centre, a gym, a builders’ contractors, and a glazing, doors, and conservatory installation company.

Some 83 parking spaces had been outlined, and of the 38 homes proposed, 14 were affordable.

But during an East Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee, on Tuesday, December 15, councillors agreed with Chalfont St Peter Parish Council the site is isolated, “so residents will be heavily dependent on cars”.

They also had concerns about waste provision and sustainability.

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“The only thing I can see that is for this application is this wretched 38 new homes, which are going to be stuck in the middle of nowhere,” said Cllr Julia Burton. “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.

“It’s not sustainable, it’s wholly dependent on private cars and it’s in a remote location.

“It doesn’t make any positive contribution to the environmental objective – hugely against it.

“We’re putting 100 possible people in the middle of nowhere, we may as well put them in the Scottish Highlands.”

By close of business members voted to refuse planning permission.

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