The Strategic Sites Committee of Buckinghamshire Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026 to discuss several planning applications related to the Hollands Farm allocation in Bourne End. The committee approved the outline planning application for up to 360 dwellings at Hollands Farm (application 21/06215/OUTEA), subject to a legal agreement and conditions. However, they refused a separate outline application for up to 72 dwellings on the northern parcel of land, known as Jacksons Field (application 23/07579/OUTEA), due to concerns about highway access. A third application for the same northern parcel, proposing alternative access arrangements (application 23/06479/OUTEA), was subsequently approved, subject to a legal agreement and conditions.

Hollands Farm, Hedsor Road, Hedsor, Buckinghamshire, SL8 5EE (21/06215/OUTEA)

Outline planning permission was granted for up to 360 dwellings, including affordable homes, and a primary school on the Hollands Farm site. The decision was delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment for approval, subject to a legal agreement and conditions. This agreement will secure a minimum of 48% on-site affordable housing, financial contributions and land for a primary school, provision and maintenance of open space and sustainable drainage systems, biodiversity net gain, custom/self-build plots, off-site highway works, a travel plan, pedestrian links, health care contributions, and provision and management of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) at Spade Oak Lake to mitigate impacts on Burnham Beeches SAC.

Concerns were raised by local councillors and residents regarding traffic impacts, particularly on Cookham Bridge and the surrounding network, and the adequacy of the proposed link road. However, the Highway Authority raised no objection, stating that traffic modelling demonstrated sufficient capacity and that the proposed access arrangements were acceptable. The committee noted that while the development would cause less than substantial harm to heritage assets, the significant public benefits, including the provision of much-needed housing and affordable homes, outweighed these harms.

Land Off Princes Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire (23/07579/OUTEA)

This outline application for up to 72 dwellings on the northern parcel of the Hollands Farm allocation was refused. The primary reasons for refusal centred on highway access concerns. Councillors expressed significant reservations about the proposed access via Bridgestone Drive, citing existing parking issues, the road's narrowness, and its unsuitability as a primary access route for a development of this scale. The committee felt that the proposed access arrangements would lead to severe adverse impacts on the local highway network and residential amenity, and that the development failed to provide the required link road to Cores End Road roundabout as stipulated in Policy BE2 of the Wycombe District Local Plan.

Land Off Princes Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire (23/06479/OUTEA)

This outline application for up to 72 dwellings on the same northern parcel of land, but with alternative access arrangements including Princes Road, Bridgestone Drive, and Hollands Farm, was approved. This decision was delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment for approval, subject to a legal agreement and conditions. The approval was granted because this application was considered to comply with Policy BE2 by providing the necessary link road to Cores End Roundabout. The committee noted that this application also included financial contributions towards education, SANG, open space, biodiversity net gain, highway works, and health care provision. The decision to approve this application was made after the committee had refused the previous, similar application due to access concerns.

The committee also discussed the minutes of a previous meeting, agreeing them with a minor amendment to better reflect the committee's reasoning for a previous refusal. The amendment clarified that highway safety and severe impact on the network were considered separate grounds for refusal. Councillor L Monger expressed concern about the amendment process, but the Chairman clarified it followed discussions with officers regarding their recollections of the committee's discussion.

The meeting also included declarations of interest, with Councillor L Townsend declaring an interest in the planning applications for her ward but confirming she would approach them with an open mind. The committee also noted the upcoming retirement of Mr C Steuart, DM Majors Team Leader, and thanked him for his service. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 22 October 2026.