The Strategic Sites Committee of Buckinghamshire Council met on Wednesday 2 September 2026 to discuss a proposal for an anaerobic digester facility near Chilton and a data centre development at Wycombe Air Park. The committee resolved to refuse the anaerobic digester application due to concerns over highway safety and environmental impacts, while unanimously approving the data centre proposal.

Anaerobic Digester Facility near Chilton Refused

Buckinghamshire Council's Strategic Sites Committee refused an application for an anaerobic digester facility on land to the south-east of Hornage Farm, Bicester Road, Chilton. The committee cited concerns over highway safety, particularly the impact of increased heavy goods vehicle (HGV) movements on narrow village roads and the cumulative effect on the transport network, as the primary reasons for refusal.

The committee heard extensive evidence and public testimony regarding the proposed development, which aimed to process agricultural waste to produce biomethane for the national gas grid. While acknowledging the potential benefits for the farming community, including diversification and the production of renewable energy and fertiliser, councillors expressed significant reservations about the facility's location and its impact on local infrastructure and residents.

Councillor Patrick Fealey proposed the refusal, citing conflicts with VALP Policy TR6 regarding severe adverse impacts on the transport network, encompassing capacity, congestion, cumulative effects, and highway safety. Councillor Mark Roberts seconded the proposal, highlighting concerns about highway safety, particularly for pedestrians and children in villages, and the lack of robust monitoring for the operational traffic management plan. Councillor David Moore also supported the refusal, citing concerns about the unconfirmed gas grid connection, the potential for unrestricted tanker movements, and the cumulative impact on the road network. Councillor Greg Smith echoed these concerns, emphasizing the industrial scale of the development and its potential to undermine local farming practices and food security.

The committee noted that while the development offered benefits in terms of renewable energy and agricultural support, these were outweighed by the significant adverse impacts on highway safety and the character of the rural communities. The decision to refuse was made despite the officers' recommendation to grant permission, highlighting the committee's prioritization of local community concerns regarding traffic and safety.

Data Centre Development at Wycombe Air Park Approved

The committee unanimously approved an outline planning application for a data centre development at Wycombe Air Park, Clay Lane, Booker. The application, which sought permission for a data centre including ancillary offices, associated infrastructure, and landscaping, was recommended for approval by officers.

The committee heard that the site is allocated as a strategic employment area within the Wycombe District Local Plan, making the principle of employment-generating development acceptable. Councillors noted the significant economic benefits, including job creation during construction and operation, inward investment, and support for the digital economy. The proposal was also considered to be acceptable from a highways perspective, with proposed improvements and a travel plan to be secured.

While acknowledging potential landscape and visual harm due to the scale and massing of the buildings, the committee accepted that these impacts could be mitigated through reserved matters applications and planning conditions, particularly concerning landscaping and the use of green walls. Concerns regarding noise, air quality, and water supply were addressed through recommended conditions to ensure appropriate management and mitigation measures. The committee also noted the fallback position of an approved film studio development on the site, which was considered to be more visually intrusive than the proposed data centre.

The approval was granted subject to the completion of a legal agreement to secure travel plan monitoring, a speed survey, funding for a speed limit reduction on Marlow Road, and a contribution towards mitigating air pollution. The decision reflects the committee's view that the economic and strategic benefits of the data centre, coupled with the site's allocation for employment, outweighed the identified landscape and visual concerns, which could be managed through subsequent detailed design stages.