The East & South Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee met on Tuesday 03 March 2026, where they resolved to defer and delegate the decision on a significant planning application for the demolition of a dwelling and the erection of a new residential building comprising a four-bedroom house and five flats. The committee also agreed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Planning Application for Englewood, 21 Amersham Road, Chesham Bois

The committee resolved to defer and delegate the decision on planning application PL/23/1603/FA for Englewood, located at 21 Amersham Road, Chesham Bois HP6 5PL. The proposal involves the demolition of the existing dwelling and the construction of a 2.5-storey residential building containing a four-bedroom house and five flats (three one-bedroom and two two-bedroom). The development also includes a detached garage, cycle parking, bin store, a relocated vehicular access, and associated parking and landscaping.

The decision to defer and delegate was made subject to the satisfactory prior completion of a Legal Agreement to secure mitigation for the Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC). If this agreement cannot be completed, the application will be refused. The committee also agreed to additional and amended conditions, along with those set out in the officer report.

The application had been called in by former Councillor Harris due to concerns about setting a precedent for further flat development, a lack of biodiversity increase, and the frontage of the site comprising a large car parking area. Chesham Bois Parish Council objected to the proposal, citing inconsistency with neighbourhood planning policy, previous refusals for flat developments in the area, highway issues, and the scale of the development being at odds with the character of the Established Residential Area of Special Character (ERASC). A total of 35 further letters of objection were received, reiterating many of these concerns.

The officer report highlighted that the site is within the Zone of Influence of the Chiltern Beechwoods SAC, and mitigation measures for recreational disturbance were required. The proposed development would contribute to a net increase of five residential units. The report noted that the Council does not currently have a five-year housing land supply, which triggers a presumption in favour of sustainable development, often referred to as the tilted balance under paragraph 11(d) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The committee received updates regarding amendments to conditions, including a typo correction, updated ecological assessments, and the addition of a condition to ensure the installation of bat boxes and a bat loft prior to occupation. The Highways Officer's conclusion remained unchanged despite a noted amendment to the speed restriction on Amersham Road from 30mph to 40mph.

Speaking on behalf of Chesham Bois Parish Council was Councillor Mark Yeomans. Stewart Watson spoke on behalf of the objectors, and Nick Baker represented the applicant.

The decision was proposed by Councillor M Tett and seconded by Councillor C Harriss.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2026 were agreed as an accurate record.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor M Roberts declared a personal interest in agenda item 4, as the application was within his ward. He confirmed he had not been involved in previous discussions and approached the item with an open mind. There were no other declarations of interest.

Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Moore and J Ng. Councillors C Harriss and M Hind were welcomed as new members of the Committee, replacing Councillors M Fayyaz and P Griffin.