PLANS to build houses and flats on the site of the Blueroom nightclub in Hazlemere have been thrown out despite scores of letters from people giving their backing to the scheme.

Outline planning permission was sought by an external developer that would have seen the nightclub in Amersham Road, formerly The Orchard Country Club, demolished and nine three-bedroom houses and 12 two-bedroom flats built in its place.

Sixty letters were sent to Wycombe District Council in favour of the build but last Wednesday the application, which would still have needed the backing of the nightclub owner, was rejected by the council's development control committee because the land is part of the green belt.

Cllr David Cox, member for Hazlemere South, was disappointed by the decision after so many people wrote in support.

He told the committee: "It is hardly a virgin garden. It could be more described as a shanty town. The residents have stirred themselves for this matter. Hazlemere has the oldest population of all the wards in the Wycombe district and this would have provided a more balanced housing provision for local residents."

Cllr Malcolm Blanksby told the committee that giving the application approval would set a dangerous precedent.

He said: "This is a totally inappropriate development. If we give planning consent it will be sending out the wrong message to developers."