A public green space and peace garden could be flattened to make way for a bigger roundabout at a busy junction as developers hope to build 400 homes – but the idea has been branded “outrageous”.

Plans put together by Catesby Estates Ltd have revealed that Penny’s Corner, at the junction of Cores End Road and The Parade in Bourne End, could be bulldozed in favour of a much larger roundabout.

It has been suggested as potential “mitigation” for traffic that could be generated by their controversial plans to build up to 400 homes and a primary school on Holland Farm.

While most residents had already been aware of the major housing development, the realisation that Penny’s Corner – a special area for many residents – could be affected has prompted further upset.

Penny’s Corner, which features a ‘peace garden’ created in 2018, beautiful flower displays and benches as well as a centenary clock, is named after former parish council chairman Penny Walsh.

Previously, the Nag’s Head pub stood at the junction but sometime after the end of World War Two, it was demolished and the land was acquired by Bucks County Council.

Plans to develop it with shops and flats upset the locals as the land had been looked after by Penny and her husband Brian.

Eventually the area was bought by the parish council and named Penny’s Corner in honour of their dedication to keeping it protected from development.

A sign commemorating the area’s history was unveiled back in June 2015.

Campaign group Keep Bourne End Green has been raising awareness on social media that the 400-home Hollands Farm development could see the special area turned into a larger roundabout.

Since then, residents have objected to the plans in their droves, with one calling them “outrageous”.

Valerie Field wrote: “I have heard that the developers have been in contact with Highways to enlarge the roundabout at Cores End, which means we lose Penny’s Corner, clock tower and the peace garden. You will have a fight on your hands if this goes through.”

Shirley Bovonsombat wrote: “This is outrageous. In a village that has been blighted now by over-development, these plans will take away a war memorial of great significant.

“These plans will not resolve the traffic issue that will come from the addition of so many new houses… if the feeder roads to the roundabout are still the same, then how can the addition of a large roundabout possibly help?”

Penny Heyes added that it would “destroy elements of the village” that have been “carefully created by long-term residents for the enjoyment of villagers”.

Zoe Allen wrote: “It will take away another area that is used by our community for space and wellbeing. It is a community area and we should not have to subject to losing even more of our open spaces that have been created for us all to share and benefit from.”

Catesby Estates has been approached for comment by the Bucks Free Press.