Decision due on 87-home Holmer Green housing development

Hawridge Strategic Land Ltd’s new application comes after approval of an outline application, in which details of access and layout for the 87 homes on the Wycombe Road site were approved.

The principle of development has already been established under the previous approval and will not be considered at the Strategic Sites Committee meeting, which will be held on June 11.

Appearance relates to the built form of the development, including the architecture and materials used for the buildings.

Scale relates to the height, width, and length of each building proposed within the development in relation to its surroundings, although the width and length have already been fixed by the approved layout.

Landscaping relates to the treatment of land and includes fences, walls, vegetation, earthworks, gardens, courts, squares, and other amenity features.

All the dwellings would be constructed from brick and tile, with a mix of colours proposed. A variety of roof types are also proposed, including hips, gables, double gables, and projecting gables.

Councillors Catherine Oliver and Ed Gemmell also requested the plans be called in.

Cllr Oliver said: “As councillor for Hazlemere I would like to call-in this application as was agreed at the strategic sites committee where the outline application was approved.

“The main issues here are with – safety and security of existing neighbours and new residents; compliance with the Hazlemere Neighbourhood Plan among other issues.”

An officers’ report recommends that the plans be approved subject to conditions.

Thames Valley Police raised concerns about aspects of the design and layout, saying they could increase the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour.

The force said this could negatively impact future residents and place additional pressure on police resources. It also warned that an ineffective or “token” strategy could be submitted at the discharge stage unless access control measures are improved further.

The report says the applicant later introduced extra security measures in response. Buckinghamshire Council’s ecology officer raised concerns and requested updated ecological surveys.

There were 11 objections to the plans and one letter of support. Concerns included the cumulative impact of the development, lack of infrastructure, and other related issues.

The Strategic Sites Committee meeting on the application will be held in the High Wycombe Council Chamber on Queen Victoria Road on June 11, starting at 10am. The development is currently the only item on the agenda.