Amersham: Residents speak out on St Michaels Court revamp plans

Sorbon Estates recently ran a consultation on its proposal to turn St Michaels Court on the corner of Sycamore Road and Woodside Road into 80 flats and new retail space ahead of the formal planning application. 

Now residents have criticised the plans, citing concerns over the pressure on local schools and GP surgeries and the design of the proposed blocks. 

Amersham-on-the-Hill resident Patrick Carroll said: “We struggle to get an appointment with a doctor already, so another 80 flats would put stress on that.

“My main problem is the height of it. It’s five storeys but nowhere in Amersham-on-the-Hill have we got more than three, max four storeys. This would really stick out. It’s going to be very dominant and I feel it’s too much for Amersham-on-the-Hill. It’s a small, friendly town.

“It’s just too big. It will change the character of Amersham-on-the-Hill.”

The council's planning department should consider the design of the building, especially as the corner of Sycamore Road and Woodside Road is an entry to Amersham-on-the-Hill main shopping street, Patrick Carroll said (Image: Sorbon Estates)

However, in principle Patrick was happy to see the old building gone as it was “rubbish,” he said.

He hoped the developer would reduce the height as this would mean less apartments and less pressure on the infrastructure.

“They are obviously looking to get in as many flats as possible because that’s how they make their money,” Patrick said.

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The fate of the “brilliant” businesses currently in the building like Barracuda and the local barber and the current residents was a concern, Patrick said.

“Where will these people go? I don’t think they’ll come back after they’ve moved. But that’s what happens with development. Collateral damaged.

Sorbon Estates was “excited” to bring the redevelopment proposal for the “prominent and under-utilised site,” a spokesperson said.  

They said: “We have been engaging with local stakeholders throughout this process to share our proposals and to listen to their thoughts. This redevelopment aims to deliver a high-quality building to this gateway location and address the housing supply shortage at this highly sustainable setting.

The current look of the building (Image: Google)

“Each unit will have its own parking space within a newly formed basement and ground floor car park, together with new landscaping to provide quality amenity spaces for residents.

“There will be no loss to the amount of existing retail areas currently within St Michaels Court, with the new units offering a variety of areas to best meet occupier demand. Some of these will include external areas, which together with landscaping and streetscape improvements will enhance the commercial space offering, bringing economic benefits to the town centre.

“Sustainability is important to us, and we will be providing highly sustainable and energy efficient homes including renewable technologies. Emissions in comparison to the existing building will be cut by almost 50 percent.

“The proposed development will support local infrastructure, whilst making best use of previously developed land to provide much needed housing, supporting the vitality and viability of the town.”