Tens of thousands of pounds has been raised in just weeks as the community tries to fight plans for 450 homes int he Green Belt. 

A bid to raise £40,000 was launched this month by the Beaconsfield Society after developers Portman Estates revealed they were challenging refusal of their 'Beeches Park' plans for 450 houses along the A355 Amersham Road. 

Buckinghamshire Council said no to the developer's plans for homes, as well as a centre, sports pitches, community facilities and space for a new primary and pre-school, saying they were "inappropriate" in the Green Belt. 

Portman Estates are appealing the decision - and the Beaconsfield Society launched a bid to raise £40,000 so they could instruct a barrister and other experts to fight them at the appeal.

So far, more than £37,000 has been raised in the space of a few weeks by concerned Beaconsfield residents. 

Nearly 200 people attended a public meeting about the bid on July 14. 

The Beaconsfield Society said: "Thank you so much to everyone who has so generously donated to the fighting fund to Save Our Green Belt. Out of a target of £40,000 we have raised £37,000 so far, within an incredibly tight timeframe.

"Your donations have enabled us to go ahead and apply for 'rule 6 status', which the Planning Inspectorate has now granted to the society.

"This means that we've been able to instruct our QC and planning consultant who will be able to play a full role in the appeal, bringing evidence and cross-examining the applicant, Portman Estates.

"We are meeting with our experts this week and they will be meeting with the Planning Inspectorate this week too.

"Our experts are working on our Statement of Case which will be submitted to the Inspectorate next month.

"With your donations, we are very fortunate to be able to fund such a strong team of experts to bring the strongest case, and we thank you so much for your support."

They are hoping to raise the final £3,000 to get to their target. 

If you wish to donate, you can send money via PayPal at http://PayPal.me/thebecsoc, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/beaconsfield-society or email thebecsoc@gmail.com for instructions to donate by cheque.