Campaigners are celebrating after “damaging” plans to build a tarmac access road through a “precious green oasis” have been withdrawn.

St Leonards Parochial Church Council, in Chesham Bois, submitted plans last February to transform the parish centre site into a new centre, rectory and keeper’s cottage.

The plans, which were thrown out by Buckinghamshire Council in January, would have seen the entire community centre levelled and replaced.

The church council also asked for permission to build an access road to the parish centre as part of the larger development, which would have consisted of a 275-seat worship hall, a separate multipurpose hall, playgroup centre, café, two houses and large car park.

But the accessway plans have been withdrawn “in the face of objections”, with the Open Spaces Society, a pressure group for common land, hailing the move.

Because the access road was proposed on common land, the church council sought consent for it under Section 38 of the Commons Act 2006.

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Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: “The Open Spaces Society is notified of all such applications and objected, arguing that there was already a vehicular access to the centre and no need for two separate routes creating a one-way system.

Bucks Free Press: PICTURED: The parish centre site. Picture: Alison BaileyPICTURED: The parish centre site. Picture: Alison Bailey

“The common is owned by Chesham Bois Parish Council which did not comment.”

After Bucks Council refused planning permission for the new parish centre in January, the Parochial Church Council withdrew its application for works on common land.

Ms Ashbrook said the Commons Act process is not a public one and that objections and decisions are not published, but the Planning Inspectorate, who runs the process, wrote to the society to tell them the application had been withdrawn.

She added: “We are delighted that this application has been withdrawn. Chesham Bois Common is an attractive, wooded site and the accessway and adjoining development would have degraded it.

“Common land is an important part of our history and culture and too often it is eroded for modern convenience.”

Amersham Museum’s website describes the common as a “precious green oasis in the heart of the village”, with the parish council’s website saying: “Chesham Bois Common and woodland are essential to our community.

“They are a significant area of amenity, as well as contributing to the character of the village and its history.”