New consultation on over 400-home plans is 'the Christmas present nobody wanted'

Developer ‘tricks’ are behind a new consultation launched over the Christmas period on plans for more than 400 homes in Bourne End, councillors have claimed.

A 30-day public consultation was triggered after Catesby Strategic Land Limited and Capreon (UK) Ltd submitted amended plans for homes at Hollands Farm and Jacksons Field this month.

But councillors for The Wooburns, Bourne End & Hedsor ward have decried the timing of the consultation – fearing it means less opportunity to give an informed response.   

Councillor Penny Drayton described the consultation as ‘a Christmas present that no one wants to receive’.

“For us to be able to speak to professionals and get our heads round the plans – it's just a really awful time to do it,” Cllr Drayton said.

Jacksons Field in Bourne End

In submissions this month, Catesby and Capreon have provided further traffic impact assessments and made landscaping changes to their plans.

Development would see 432 homes built across the sites; split by 360 at Hollands Farm and 72 at Jacksons Field.

Cllr Drayton said the development would have a ‘huge impact’ on Bourne End.

She said: “It [the consultation] feels underhanded because it’s disrespectful and if they [developers] feel themselves it's just and good, they could do these consultations at a different time and let people respond in a fair manner.”

“It’s just a tactic,” added fellow independent ward councillor Stuart Wilson.

“I think, from a democratic point of view, planning is hard enough without people using these tricks to ensure that the timing is disadvantageous to people who may have a point of view.”

Hollands Farm and Jacksons Field were removed from Green Belt and allocated for development by Bucks council’s Conservative administration as part of the Wycombe Local Plan in 2019.

Nearby Slate Meadow was also allocated for homes in the plan.

Part of Hollands Farm in Bourne End where 360 homes are planned

Cllrs Wilson and Drayton have been part of Keep Bourne End Green – a campaign group fighting development in the village since before the Wycombe Local Plan was adopted.  

Councillors have invited residents to a meeting to discuss the plans at The Hedsor Club in Hedsor Lane at 7.30pm on January 15.

Plans can be viewed on Buckinghamshire Council’s planning portal under references 21/06215/OUTEA, 23/06479/OUTEA and 23/07579/OUTEA.

Responses to the consultation should be submitted to the portal by January 19.

Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for planning Cllr Peter Strachan (Con, Wendover, Halton & Stoke Mandeville) said:

“The Council has acted in accordance with the relevant regulations to give 30 days for the public to comment on the new details that have been received.”

A Catesby spokesperson told the Advertiser its December submissions were part of ongoing work with Buckinghamshire Council ‘to address additional requests for information’.

The spokesperson added: “We will continue to work with the council as this planning application for development on this allocated site progresses to planning committee.”

Capreon did not respond to a request for comment on the timing of submitting its plans.