RESIDENTS have reacted with concern at proposed schemes to redevelop the Butlers Court site in Beaconsfield.

Some said they feared the impact more housing could have on schools and traffic in the area generally.

The site, off Wattleton Road, includes a mansion, built in 1891 which was once home to Lord Kitchener's contemporary, Field Marshall Lord Grenfell.

It has been a base for paper manufacturer Arjo Wiggins for the past 50 years.

Developers St James, which is part of Berkeley, held an exhibition of proposals at the site earlier this week.

Two plans were initially put on display, while a third went on on the second day of the exhibition, after input from South Bucks District Council.

All three involve a mix of residential units and office space.

Jane Hearne, a mother-of-three from neighbouring Redwood Place, said: “I don't think the infrastructure of the area can cope with it. That's going to create a huge amount of traffic. There's no way our schools can cope with it - all the schools are over subscribed in Beaconsfield.”

“I can't see the need for such high density housing in there.”

Bijah Shah, of Wattleton Road, said: “ Part of the reason we're on this road is the backdrop of the woods and the fact there's no additional traffic.

“The concern is, of course, they'd build as much houses as possible ”

He thought a better use for the land would be to see more community amenities in place. He said: “Currently it feels there's a lack of amenities. There's no swimming pool in Beaconsfield, for instance.”

Two of the plans would see the main building replaced completely, while a third would see it remain. At a previous exhibition in the summer 75 per cent of visitors said they wanted to see the building stay.

David Gilchrist, head of land and planning, said: “We've produced a design where it's retained because we know there is quite a lot of support to keep it.”

One option, which removes the main building, is scheme which includes 34 residential units, another 15 for affordable housing, and 11,000 sq ft of office space providing, in theory, 53 jobs.

A second option keeps the 13,000 sq ft main building, providing for about 50 jobs, with the same numbers of residential units.

The third option, in response to council comments, includes 14 residential units and a new, larger office building to accommodate around 150 jobs – the number of people employed by Arjo Wiggins at its peak.

A proposal is expected to be submitted to the district council next month. If approved, no development can start until the end of next year at the earliest, when Arjo Wiggins vacates the offices. Mr Gilchrist said the state of the economy may have an impact on when any work could begin.