The Central and North Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee met on 22 April 2026, with Councillor Patrick Fealey in the chair. The committee approved an application to extend the operating hours of Bierton Crematorium and, after considerable debate, approved two controversial applications at 1 The Green, Hulcott, for a garage and a two-storey extension, against officer recommendations. The committee also refused an application for the conversion of two dwellings into one at Portway, Buckingham Road, Hardwick.

Bierton Crematorium: Extended Hours Approved

The committee approved an application to vary condition 6 of the planning permission for Bierton Crematorium¹ to extend its operating hours. The crematorium, owned and maintained by Buckinghamshire Council, will now be able to operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, an increase from the previous 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. limit. This change aims to accommodate increased demand for funeral services.

While some councillors raised concerns about potential traffic increases and the lack of detailed traffic data, the Highways Authority raised no objections. Officers noted that the crematorium building has been in place for several years and the proposed change would not involve any physical alterations to the site. The decision was made in line with the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP)² and national planning policy.

1 The Green, Hulcott: Garage and Extension Approved Against Officer Recommendation

Two applications for 1 The Green, Hulcott, were called in by ward councillors Kathy Gibbon and Julie Ward³ and ultimately approved by the committee, despite officer recommendations for refusal.

Garage and Store Approved

An application for a proposed garage and store at 1 The Green, Hulcott, was approved against officer recommendations. Officers had recommended refusal on grounds of inappropriate siting, design, and scale, arguing it would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the site, the wider landscape, and heritage assets, and would encroach into open countryside. Concerns were also raised about flood risk and the lack of biodiversity net gain information.

However, councillors, particularly Councillor Robin Stuchbury and Councillor Andy Huxley, argued that the scale of the garage was necessary to accommodate the needs of a disabled family member, citing the Equality Act 2010⁴ and relevant VALP policies⁵ concerning accessibility. They also highlighted the need for secure storage for vehicles and equipment, referencing an increase in rural crime. The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions to be resolved in consultation with officers and the chair, focusing on materials, landscaping, bat facilities, and environmental enhancements.

Two-Storey Extension Approved

Following the approval of the garage application, a second application for the demolition of an existing single-storey side extension and the erection of a new two-storey side extension at the same property was also approved against officer recommendations. Officers had recommended refusal due to the significant scale, bulk, and incongruous design of the proposed extension, which they argued would overwhelm the original dwelling and be detrimental to the character and appearance of the site, the conservation area, and nearby listed buildings. Concerns were also raised about flood risk and the potential impact on protected species.

Councillors again cited the need to accommodate a disabled family member and the VALP policies⁶ relating to accessibility and the Equality Act 2010⁷ as material considerations. They argued that the proposed extension, while substantial, was necessary to create a functional family home and that the design could be improved through conditions. The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions to be resolved in consultation with officers and the chair, including requirements for bat roost assessments, appropriate building materials, and landscaping.

Portway, Buckingham Road, Hardwick: Conversion and Extensions Refused

An application for the conversion of two dwellings, 'Portway' and 'Annexe', into a single dwelling, along with significant extensions, at Portway, Buckingham Road, Hardwick, was refused. Officers recommended refusal primarily on the grounds of the development's scale and design, arguing it would be overly dominant, incongruous, and detrimental to the character and appearance of the host dwellings, the area, and the Quainton-Wing Hills Area of Attractive Landscape. The proposal was also noted to result in the loss of one dwelling at a time when the council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.

While the applicant highlighted the need for the extended space to accommodate a multi-generational family, including a child with a rare metabolic disorder requiring 24-hour care and a live-in carer, and a mother-in-law requiring substantial care, officers stated that insufficient justification had been provided for an extension of the proposed scale. Concerns were also raised by councillors and the applicant's brother, who has a business relationship with the applicant, regarding the potential for commercial vehicle activity from the site, although the applicant denied this. The committee voted to refuse the application.