“Ludicrous” plans to demolish shops that are a “key part of the community” in High Wycombe have caused outrage – prompting more than 100 people to sign a petition to save them.

The row of shops from 175 to 179 Gordon Road, which include the popular grocers Carrot and Coriander, are under threat from redevelopment into flats, according to new plans submitted to the council.

Although the details are scarce, the plans do reveal that the shops would be bulldozed and replaced with eight flats.

Three of the flats would have two bedrooms, while five would provide one-bed accommodation, and there would be a bin store, new access and a place to store cycles.

Designs appear to show the new flats would be a combination of brick and grey panelling, with four balconies along the front of the building on Bowerdean Road.

The plans have been met with outrage by residents, who claim the shops provide an essential service to the community.

And a new petition to save the shops has been set up by the Wycombe Liberal Democrats.

Objecting to the plans, Malcolm Tinnelly wrote: “Essential shops supporting the local community, especially during the pandemic. A perfect reason to ensure such a ludicrous application should not go any further.”

Gordon Road resident Mollie Robinson said: “The current shops are a long-standing local amenity for the community and as such are used daily by many.

“They provide necessary food, fresh fruit and other items for the local people, thus saving transport into town.

“The benefit of having this local provision has been much in evidence this past year. It enhances both health and community spirit.”

Another Gordon Road resident, Sue Taylor, said there is already heavy traffic on Gordon Road with an increase in flats and new homes built recently in the area.

She added: “I am concerned about the pollution from the density of traffic adversely affecting children at the nursery school on this road and about the increasing noise of traffic in the area.”

Meanwhile, High Wycombe resident Ellen Hawkes said she was “horrified” to hear about the plans. She wrote: “I am a regular shopper at the Carrot and Coriander. They have provided an invaluable service to the residents of Bowerdean and Totteridge during the Covid crisis – there is always a queue of people outside and I have been shopping here for two of my elderly neighbours.

“My family have lived in this area for over 100 years… and there have always been local shops to serve this community, of which these are the last.”

At the time of writing, 118 people have signed a petition to save the shops on the Wycombe Liberal Democrats website.

Ben Holkham, from the Wycombe Lib Dems, said: “There has been considerable strength of feeling over this application.

“Local residents are telling us they feel the shops are a key part of the community, even more so during the current pandemic.

“Their loss would reduce choice, cause the need for further travel and present difficulties for the elderly and those who find it difficult to get around.”

To sign the petition, go to www.wycombelibdems.org.uk/save_our_shops. To view the plans, go to the planning portal at www.wycombe.gov.uk and use the planning reference 20/08349/FUL.