The Central and North Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss a number of planning and administrative matters. The agenda included planning applications for a change of use of a property in Steeple Claydon, and an outline application for a residential development in Buckingham. Councillors were also scheduled to appoint a vice-chair and agree on the minutes of previous meetings.

Land South Of Bourton Road, Buckingham

The committee were scheduled to consider an outline application for residential development on land south of Bourton Road in Buckingham. The application, reference 24/03426/AOP, sought permission for up to 220 dwellings, including 35% affordable housing, a pre-school/nursery, public open space, and associated infrastructure. Access was proposed from Bourton Road, with additional pedestrian and emergency access points.

The site is located outside the defined settlement boundary of Buckingham, in an area designated as open countryside. According to the report pack, the development would conflict with several policies in the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) and the emerging Buckingham Neighbourhood Plan (BNP). These include policies relating to sustainable development, spatial strategy, and landscape character. The report pack notes that the Council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing land, triggering the presumption in favour of sustainable development under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The report pack also notes that the emerging BNP is at an advanced stage, but unresolved objections mean that limited weight can be afforded to its policies at this time. The report pack acknowledges that the development would result in a significant change to the character of the site, leading to the loss of its rural appearance and contributing to urban encroachment, causing significant landscape and visual harm. There is also less-than-substantial harm to the setting of a nearby Grade II listed building, Rose Cottage. Despite these conflicts, the report pack states that the proposal would deliver a significant number of new homes, including affordable housing, and contribute to local infrastructure through Section 106 obligations¹. Improvements to pedestrian and cycle connectivity, public transport, and local services are also proposed.

The report pack included a recommendation to defer and delegate the application to the Service Director of Planning and Environment for approval, subject to certain conditions, including publicising the application as a departure from the Development Plan and completing a Section 106 agreement.

Saxeton, 52 West Street, Steeple Claydon

The committee were scheduled to consider an application, reference 25/01257/APP, for a change of use at Saxeton, 52 West Street, in Steeple Claydon. The application sought permission for the change of use from a dwelling house (Use Class C3a²) to a children's home (Use Class C2³). The proposal also included the installation of solar thermal panels, cycle storage, and hardstanding.

The application was referred to the committee because the property is owned by Buckinghamshire Council, and the planning application was submitted by Buckinghamshire Council.

The report pack stated that the property would accommodate up to four young people aged 8-17 on a long-term basis, supported by a team of permanent staff providing 24-hour supervision. The property would function similarly to a family home environment.

The report pack notes that the Highway Authority advised that the proposed change of use is anticipated to generate a traffic level comparable to that of the existing dwelling and will not therefore have a severe impact on the surrounding highway network.

The report pack also notes that the Council's Environmental Health Team accepted a noise and disturbance management plan submitted as part of the application.

The report pack included a recommendation to approve the application subject to conditions.

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• Appointment of a Vice-Chairman
• Agreement of the minutes from previous meetings held on 25 March 2025, 16 April 2025, and 21 May 2025.