The East and South Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee met on Tuesday 16 June 2026, with Councillor David Moore, Chair of the committee, presiding. The committee considered four planning applications, approving one and refusing another, while deferring a third and making a decision on the fourth after a lengthy debate.

Demolition of garages and erection of four new dwellings, Chesham

The committee approved the demolition of 25 garages and the erection of four new affordable dwellings on land at the rear of Five Acres and Trapps Lane and Pheasant Rise, Trapps Lane, Chesham. The application, originally heard in January 2021, had been deferred due to concerns about parking and the subsequent designation of the Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The applicant, Paradigm Housing Group, had undertaken further work on parking surveys and design amendments. Despite objections from Chesham Town Council and the Waterside Community Association regarding parking displacement and highway safety, the committee ultimately voted to approve the application, with Councillor Clive Harriss proposing and Councillor Mark Roberts seconding the motion. The decision was based on the assessment that the existing garages did not meet current parking standards and that sufficient parking capacity existed on surrounding streets.

Outline planning application for up to 45 dwellings, Amersham

The committee refused an outline planning application for up to 45 dwellings on land to the southeast of Whielden Street, Amersham. The application, which sought to establish the principle of development on land designated as Green Belt, was called in by ward councillors due to concerns about heritage harm, traffic, ecology, and the site's classification as grey belt. The officer's recommendation to approve the application, subject to a Section 106 agreement, was overturned by the committee. Councillor Martin Tett CBE proposed refusal on the grounds of the site remaining Green Belt, significant harm to the Chilterns National Landscape, and adverse impact on the historic setting of Old Amersham. Councillor Mark Roberts seconded the proposal, adding concerns about the highway access. The committee voted to refuse the application, citing four reasons for refusal, including the Green Belt designation, harm to the National Landscape and heritage assets, and insufficient detail on highway access and parking provision.

Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Club, Ash Grove, Amersham

The committee approved plans for enhanced sporting facilities and a new care home at Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Club on Ash Grove, Amersham. The application included a new 3G pitch, four padel tennis courts, clubhouse extensions, and a 60-bed care home. The site is located within the Green Belt, but officers deemed the development acceptable under the grey belt exceptions. Concerns were raised by councillors and residents regarding the narrowness of Ash Grove, potential noise from the padel courts, and the impact on local infrastructure. The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions and a legal agreement, with Councillor Clive Harriss proposing and Councillor Matthew Hind seconding. Key conditions included delegated authority to the Chairman and officers to determine hours of operation for the padel courts and potentially the 3G pitch, and amendments to condition 23 regarding the widening of Ash Grove.

Land at Old Jobs, Narcot Lane, Chalfont St Peter

The committee approved the construction of seven dwellings on land at Old Jobs, Narcot Lane, Chalfont St Peter. The application was called in by Councillor Karen Dixon due to concerns about traffic and safety issues near Chalfont Community College. Objectors, including Chalfont St Peter Parish Council, raised concerns about the site's Green Belt status, highway safety, sewage capacity, and potential flooding. However, officers concluded that the site could be classified as grey belt and that the development would not fundamentally undermine Green Belt purposes. The Highways Authority raised no objection, and the LLFA withdrew its objection subject to a drainage condition. The committee voted to approve the application, with Councillor Mark Roberts proposing and Councillor Clive Harriss seconding, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement for Burnham Beeches SAC mitigation.

The meeting concluded with the confirmation of the date for the next meeting on 14 July 2026.