A major plan to knock down a house and build a three-storey block of flats has been thrown out over fears it would "lack of satisfactory living conditions for future residents". 

Buckinghamshire Council has rejected plans to erect a three-storey, eight-flat apartment block at 193 West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe.

Citing numerous failings in the proposed project, the council used its Local Planning Authority power to refuse permission for the development.

The decision came in line with the latest application received on February 4, 2023.

The council indicated concerns over the scale, design, and layout which it concluded would result in an imposing and discordant development failing to harmonise with the traditional and spacious character of the area.

The local authority said: "In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, the proposed development represents an incongruous form of development which fails to respect the scale, traditional appearance, and spacious character of the surrounding area."

The council also raised reservations about the lack of satisfactory living conditions for future residents and the impact on the neighbouring property at No 6 Desborough Park Road citing a "dominant and overbearing impact upon the rear garden."

The refusal also marked the inadequate information provided in the Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Statement, potentially representing a contamination risk to groundwater and an increased risk of surface water runoff or groundwater flooding.

The absence of an updated Preliminary Roost Assessment and appropriate bat activity surveys compounded the issues.

The council stressed the importance of demonstrating no harm would be done to protected species, especially bats, and that the site's development could deliver a net gain in biodiversity.

This rejection represents the latest in a series of refused applications for residential intensification on the site.

This includes a proposal for nine flats, denied under reference 22/05564/FUL and subsequently appealed by the applicant, only one month prior to the current application.

However, the appeal was dismissed due to design and impact considerations, alongside concerns about neighbour amenities and SuDS.

The council confirmed that the new application did not overcome the previous appeal’s dismissal reasons.

Further, despite the additional submissions by the agent to address issues raised by the Environment Agency, the council said: "The agent declined to agree an extension of time, therefore, the application was determined on the basis of the application as originally submitted."

The council affirmed its positive and proactive approach to solution-focused development proposals, but reiterated the importance of applicants adequately engaging and featuring Council's feedback in their pre-application stage.