A DEVELOPMENT that would see 25 garages bulldozed to make way for four new properties hangs in the balance while a dispute over local parking is settled.
Residents contested a planning application by Paradigm Housing Group proposing new homes on two parcels of land to the rear of Five Acres, Trapps Lane and Pheasant Rise, in Chesham, because it ‘exacerbates’ a lack of local parking.
A dispute arose over a parking survey, which “should have been undertaken after 6pm when residents had returned from their working environment and parked accordingly”.
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It is estimated up to 15 vehicles will be “displaced” due to the loss of the garages, according to a council report. But Cllr Jane MacBean, who called in the application, argued that figure could be much higher.
Paradigm seeks to tear down the existing garages, and in their place build two pairs of semi-detached homes across two plots, creating four new ‘affordable properties’ each with two bedrooms, a private garden and three (or more) parking spaces.
There are presently 25 garages split between two plots (19 on one, six on the other), with each accessible by Five Acres.
READ MORE: Demolition of 25 garages for new development will create 'parking deficit'
Cllr MacBean claimed a highways report “does not accurately reflect the parking situation in that part of Chesham”.
She added residents had provided “photographic evidence” that 15 of the garages contain vehicles, despite claims by the developer they are ‘not in use’.
She called for each garage to be opened to “establish fact” because ‘at least 35 vehicles’ could be displaced.
Cllr Peter Hudson for Chesham Town Council said: “You only need to take a cursory look at the report and the number of resubmissions around parking capacity to raise red flags.
“I would argue this reflects very badly on the applicant who seem adept at presenting inaccurate and flawed surveys from the same company, until finally they get one that presents the answer they’re looking for.
“Anyone who knows or has visited this area will understand what the residents are claiming is in fact correct – there is simply insufficient capacity on nearby roads to accommodate the displaced vehicles this application will create.”
He further claimed some 20 garages are currently “in use” which will “far exceed” the 15 displaced vehicles suggested.
During an East Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee, on Tuesday, January 12, members voted unanimously for deferral of the application to assess the highways report and parking data, as well as access for emergency vehicles.
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