Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 11, 2025

Purpose: Seeking amendment to the Cabinet decision of 9th November 2021 – Land Acquisition, Compulsory Purchase Order and Side Roads Order

Content: The Princes Risborough Southern Road Link (PRSRL) was currently stalled, and this report set out the current position and that the Council could no longer carry out the construction of the PRSRL. It was now anticipated that the road would be constructed by developers wishing to progress housing development in the Expansion Area. This report set out the implications of not pursuing the planning application, the existing blight risk, and the current challenges relating to the Princes Risborough Expansion Area. The Council had been unable to secure the additional funding to meet the full cost of delivery of the scheme and consequently could not pursue a Compulsory Purchase Order for the necessary land, or contractually commit to the construction of the road.   Due to significant price inflation, in late 2021 a Cabinet paper set out that the Council would be unable to deliver the road. All expenditure on the project was halted by the Council in early 2023 (with some legal costs ongoing) and staff reallocated to other work. Protracted negotiations with developers of the PREA took place from Summer 2023 until Autumn 2024 to attempt to include delivery of the road as part of anticipated planning applications. Unfortunately, it was confirmed by developers in late 2024 that this would not happen in the near future.   A representation had been received from a member of the public which was taken into account by Cabinet Members before the decision was taken.   RESOLVED that   ·         no further steps be taken to pursue the planning application for the Princes Risborough Southern Link Road scheme and cease all negotiations with Network Rail. ·         no further steps be taken under the Cabinet decision of 9th November 2021 in respect of PRSRL– Land Acquisition, Compulsory Purchase Order and Side Roads Order” as detailed in Confidential Appendix A of the report ·         use of existing capital budget of £1,467,697 be approved for ongoing work and that this be delegated to the Corporate Director for Planning, Growth and Sustainability (PG&S) to: o Take all necessary steps to make the Little Kimble Cottages safe and secure. Pursue further options utilising existing budget o Continue to fund analysis of the Buckinghamshire Transport model against the whole PREA. o Make budget adjustments to the approved use of existing capital budget of £1,467,697 for ongoing work including managing existing assets, establishing necessary further highways modelling work, and offsetting potential risks as set out in Confidential Appendix A of the report.