The West Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee of Buckinghamshire Council is scheduled to consider two planning applications. The meeting will discuss proposals for new housing developments in Wooburn Green and a mixed-use development in Walters Ash.

Demolition and Erection of Six Dwellings at 147 Wycombe Lane, Wooburn Green

The committee is scheduled to review an application for the demolition of an existing dwelling at 147 Wycombe Lane, Wooburn Green and the construction of six new homes. The proposed development includes associated access and landscaping. Key considerations for this application are the design and layout of the new homes, the impact on transport, the relationship with neighbouring properties, and the provision of a future walking and cycle corridor between High Wycombe Town Centre and Bourne End. Other aspects to be discussed include surface water flooding, ecology, and biodiversity net gain.

The report pack indicates that the applicant has made several amendments to the original proposals, addressing concerns related to the design, access, ecology, and surface water drainage. The application is recommended for approval, subject to a range of conditions. These conditions cover aspects such as the commencement of development, external materials, surface water drainage, means of access, off-site highway works, visibility splays, construction traffic management, landscaping, ecological enhancements, and the provision of electric vehicle charging points.

Demolition of Commercial Buildings and Redevelopment for Mixed-Use at 280 Main Road, Walters Ash

The committee is also scheduled to consider an application for the demolition of existing commercial buildings at 280 Main Road, Walters Ash and their redevelopment into a mixed-use scheme. This would comprise a ground-floor retail unit, intended as a convenience store, with four residential flats on the first floor. The proposal also includes associated access, parking, servicing, landscaping, and drainage works.

This application follows a previous refusal for a similar development on the same site. The previous refusal was based on concerns about overdevelopment, insufficient space for screening, and the impact on residential amenity from the retail use. An appeal against that refusal was dismissed, with the Inspector upholding concerns regarding loss of privacy and noise and disturbance. The current proposal has been amended to address these issues, including changes to the design of the rear element, the removal of rear-facing bedroom windows, and an increase in the distance between the new flats and neighbouring properties. The report pack notes that the applicant has commissioned a noise impact assessment and provided updated ecological information. The application is recommended for approval, subject to the satisfactory resolution of surface water drainage issues and a series of conditions. These conditions include requirements for materials, means of enclosure, obscure glazing, accessible dwellings, water efficiency, electric vehicle charging points, remediation of contaminated land, surface water drainage, ecological enhancements, landscaping, and operational controls for the retail unit, including hours of use and deliveries.