Flackwell Heath: Old Kiln Road car park overhaul delayed

A “significant technical problem” forced Bucks Council to put off deliberation on a revised application by Revere Developments to redevelop the old car park, on Old Kiln Road, in Flackwell Heath, at a planning meeting, on May 25.

After a twenty-minute delay, Marlow ward Councillor Neil Marshall told the public the council was unable to present the plans because its system had “completely crashed”, despite working two hours earlier.

He said the application would not be considered again until June 7.

READ MORE: Traveller site to get bigger - amid ‘racial abuse’ claim

Cllr Marshall: “I’m afraid we do have a significant technical problem. The system was checked and working two hours ago but has subsequently completely crashed. We are unable to present plans on anything. So, it leaves us with no choice but to defer – and it looks like the earliest date that we can do would be June 7. My sincere apologies.”

Plans had detailed the redevelopment of the car park for two pairs of three-bed semi-detached houses and an apartment block of four two-bed flats, and 15 parking spaces.

READ MORE: Major tech glitch halts new Aldi and McDonald’s plans

Similar plans for four semi-detached houses and five flats in a three-storey block, with 18 parking spaces were voted down by the council in July last year – however, having received a ‘non-determination appeal’* at the time, the matter went before the Planning Inspectorate.

The appeal was dismissed by the Planning Inspector on grounds the scheme would have an ‘adverse effect upon the character and appearance of the surrounding area’.

The new scheme is not as tall as the 2021 scheme, documents show.

However, there is still “serious local concern” about the development, including overdevelopment, parking congestion, and loss of light and privacy, according to a report.

Planning officers assert however that the scheme will have “no adverse effect” on the character of the area, the visuals of the street scene, adjacent residents, highway safety or the level of car parking in Flackwell Heath.

The car park, which is privately owned and was largely used by shoppers at the former Budgens, has not been in use since around 2014.

It is understood the site was linked to the original permission for nearby Aries House – however, that link has since been severed by the change in ownership and the closure of the car park.

The recommendation is to permit the application.

*A non-determination appeal occurs when the local authority does not issue a planning decision within eight weeks.