Prestwood: 13 homes could be built on Green Belt land

Mr and Mrs J Kirby want to build 12 new homes on land at Hampden Farm Barn, in Greenlands Lane, Prestwood – five of which will be affordable – and convert an existing stable block to create the 13th home.

All the properties would have parking and developers have said the conversion of the stables block will not have an impact upon the openness of the Green Belt or the AONB “as the proposal reuses an existing building rather than proposing new development”.

Writing about the conversion in the design and access statement, the applicants said: “The conversion of the stables block into a residential property is believed to simply be considered acceptable in principle.

“The proposal would make use of a then redundant building and would allow it to be reused as a residential property, which would again further assist in meeting the areas unmet housing need and would ensure the best use of land.”

Developers accepted the proposed development is “in part, inappropriate development within the Green Belt” but that “it is clear that any harm caused as a result of the development would be outweighed by the following factors which, when taken as a whole, would comprise the very special circumstances required for the development to be considered acceptable”.

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The factors include the “sustainable edge of settlement location of the application site”, the identified need for housing within Prestwood and Great Missenden per the council’s settlement capacity study”, “the contribution towards the provision of affordable housing though an appropriate on-site affordable housing contribution” and “the fact that the site is considered to be previously developed land”.

They added: “The minimal impact upon the openness of the Green Belt in this location will be clearly outweighed by the benefits listed above.

“When considering the planning balance, the delivery of housing in this instance should be prioritised, and afforded great weight given the demonstrated shortfall in housing supply in the area.”

Dozens of objections have been submitted to the plans online, with Great Missenden resident Heather Wallace saying they will “destroy the countryside”.

She wrote: “This application needs to be rejected as the location extends the village of Prestwood into the greenbelt.

PICTURED: Hampden Farm and stable building on the left (Credit: JCE Planning & Architectural Consultancy)

“It will destroy the countryside which is an amenity enjoyed by people of Prestwood and where many species of wildlife and fauna live.

“The ancient woodland beyond the site needs to be protected of which there is no plan. The road is narrow and cannot adequately support additional 12 houses.”

And Nicola Shingfield commented: “This planning application is in an area of outstanding natural beauty and in the green belt where such developments are not permitted in any circumstances.

“The proposed housing development would be out of keeping for the area and set a precedent for further unwanted development on Green Belt lane.”

She added: “Given the impact of HS2 on the surrounding area, I think that the Chilterns and this AONB is already being significantly adversely impacted and therefore we should be making every effort to keep as much green belt land as possible.”

While John Mabey said: “This is a very intrusive development which will destroy natural habitat and be detrimental to the local area in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

“There would be significant traffic and parking implications for the whole of Greenlands Lane, which are unacceptable.”

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The properties would comprise of three detached houses, four semi-detached houses, five terraced homes and one house converted from the stables.

Hampden Farm Barn is attached to a 17th Century Grade II-listed building, Hampden Farm. The heritage statement explains that due to existing attached barns and outbuildings to its south side and screening located on and around the site, the impact upon the listed buildings is “considered to be minor”.

Another Grade II-listed building, Woodlands, will also not be “greatly affected” by the plans, with the heritage statement saying It is located behind a tall hedge and is almost hidden from the site.

See the plans in full at www.chiltern.gov.uk/viewplanningapplications using reference PL/21/1676/OA.