Plans for nearly 1,000 homes on green belt land just over the Hertfordshire border have been officially submitted.
The Epilepsy Society is seeking permission for a huge development on land it owns between Chalfont St Peter and Maple Cross.
The outline proposal is for up to 975 homes, including 390 designated as affordable, a care home for 75 people, and provision of a primary school and shops.
The society, a charity that exists to “transform the lives” of people living with epilepsy, fears it will run out of funding by the end of the decade. The housing plans are the only “feasible” option to achieve the society’s charitable and long-term objectives, according to a planning statement.
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However, the Chesham Lane plans submitted to Buckinghamshire Council have received more than 150 objections from people who live locally.
The Bucks Free Press has reported residents are worried how the roads could cope as well as the impact of building on protected green belt.
Dr Don Horrocks said: “We are still regretting the previous unwelcome development on this rural site and now there are plans for even more development which will further negatively impact a beautiful part of the country already blighted by HS2 and other planning applications spreading out from the M25.
“This is greenbelt land surrounded by narrow lanes and which serves as an important local amenity for walking and outdoor exercise. It should be kept sacrosanct."
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Andy James, chief financial officer at the Epilepsy Society, said: “We have been in Chalfont St Peter for 130 years and want to be here for another 130 years more.
"It is in our interests to make sure that any development is sympathetic to the surrounding environment and will enhance the life of the village.
"But the sad fact is that if we cannot realise the wealth in our land, we will have no option other than to close the site, towards the end of the decade, with the loss of services and the homes of 93 disabled residents. And of course, the site would most likely be sold to a developer.”
The society is hosting a public exhibition this week. More details can be found here.
The plans can be viewed on Bucks Council’s planning portal via reference PL/22/2898/OA. Neighbouring Three Rivers District Council has been asked by Bucks Council to submit its comments on the plans.
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