The West Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee met on Wednesday 18 February 2026 and approved two planning applications. The committee granted permission for the change of use of Clifton House Hotel to a 23-room House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and approved a variation of a condition for netting at Whiteleaf Golf Club.

Change of Use for Clifton House Hotel Approved

The committee approved the full application for the change of use of Clifton House Hotel, located at 210 West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3AR, to a 23-room House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). This decision was made despite objections from local residents and ward councillors, including Councillor Darren Hayday and Councillor Orsolya Hayday, who raised concerns about the scale and density of the development, potential impact on highway safety and parking, insufficient management plans, and the applicant's track record.

The officer's recommendation for approval was based on the assessment that the proposal would not adversely affect the character of the area, neighbouring amenities, or highway safety. While acknowledging the concerns, the report noted that the existing lawful use of the property as a hotel with 32 bedrooms was a material consideration. The committee's decision included amended and additional conditions regarding landscaping and the retention of private amenity space. The NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (NHS BOB ICB) had also raised an objection, highlighting the importance of developer contributions for applications of this size in the emerging Local Plan for Buckinghamshire.

Whiteleaf Golf Club Netting Variation Approved

The committee also approved a variation of condition 4 concerning materials for netting at Whiteleaf Golf Club, located at Golf Club Lane, Whiteleaf, Buckinghamshire HP27 0LY. The original planning permission (24/05056/FUL) stipulated that the support poles for the netting should be dark green. However, the applicant had installed black netting and posts due to an internal miscommunication.

The application was called in by Councillors Gary Hall, Matthew Walsh, and Alan Turner due to the change in colour. The report noted that both green and black netting already existed on the golf course, and the visual impact of the black netting was considered to be similar to that of dark green when viewed from a distance. The committee agreed that retaining the condition for dark green poles would not serve a useful planning purpose and recommended approval. The decision was made in line with the officer's recommendation, with revised conditions to reflect the current situation, including the removal of existing netting attached to trees and the re-imposition of a condition for bat survey mitigation.

The meeting also confirmed the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 6.30 p.m. and resolved to confirm members' availability for potential site visits on Tuesday 17 March 2026.