An estate of between 300 and 350 new homes is being planned in Beaconsfield on the same land where the proposed ‘Beeches Park’ site was refused three years ago.
Catesby Estates has proposed building a mix of one to five-bedroom houses and apartments on the Green Belt fields in between Amersham Road, Minerva Way and the Beaconsfield Eastern Relief Road.
The land promoter has been chosen by London-based property company, the Portman Estate to prepare a new outline planning application for Beeches Park, which is set to be submitted to Buckinghamshire Council by the end of 2024.
The council refused the Portman Estate’s previous plans for Beeches Park in November 2021, with the decision upheld by the Planning Inspectorate in December the following year.
But representatives of Catesby and its consultancy firm have insisted that the new Beeches Park development currently being planned is different from the one that was refused 18 months ago.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service attended a public workshop and information event at Beaconsfield’s Curzon Centre on June 11.
Catesby has launched a public consultation on its ‘early’ outline plans – available to view on its website – which closes on Sunday June 23, ahead of further ‘opportunity to comment and submit feedback’ later this summer.
Representatives at the public event this week said that the new plans for Beeches Park will ensure that 50 per cent of the development will be green space.
During the session, residents were asked for their opinions on the initial designs, with Catesby expected to finalise plans by the end of summer, according to those present.
They also said that the new plan for Beeches Park sought to ‘iron out’ the problems of the previous one, which included that the 450 homes proposed were packed ‘too tightly’ together.
Unveiling the plans, design experts present at the event claimed that the new site would feature ‘3m wide cycle routes’ through the development and footpaths ‘everywhere’.
Online plans for the new site also promise a ‘green corridor’ along the existing stretch of trees, a ‘community hub’ and ‘sustainable travel corridors’.
Catesby says on its website: “Significant areas of new public open space and children’s play area will be delivered as part of the proposals, providing attractive leisure spaces and helping to promote healthy lifestyles.”
It also suggests that the proposed ‘community hub’ could include anything from ‘shared spaces and facilities for people who work from home’ to a ‘community cafe or yoga studio’.
Access to the site will be provided via new junctions off the Beaconsfield Eastern Relief Road and Amersham Road, which will serve vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
In their refusal of the previous Beeches Park proposals, council planners said that the development would be ‘inappropriate’ and cause ‘spatial and visual harm’ in the Green Belt.
They also raised concerns that the site would create more traffic and said: “The development parameters and layout represent poor design and fails to relate positively to the site and local context.”
To find out more about the plans for Beeches Park and how to have your say, visit: https://shorturl.at/4KU4H
Princes Risborough Police Station needs ‘appropriate’ plan after ‘poor’ homes refused
Police investigating attempted burglary in High Wycombe
CCTV image released following theft in Aylesbury
Kicking off anti-social behaviour week
Bonuses for Bucks Fire and Rescue Service execs ‘inappropriate’ warns councillor
Appeal for witnesses following attempted robbery in High Wycombe
Ducks fans waddle to raise money for Aylesbury charity
High Wycombe Fire Station should be ‘knocked down’ says Bucks Fire and Rescue officer
