The Strategic Sites Committee of Buckinghamshire Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026 to discuss several planning applications related to the Hollands Farm allocation. The committee approved the outline planning application for up to 360 dwellings at Hollands Farm, subject to a legal agreement and conditions. However, they refused a separate outline application for up to 72 dwellings on the northern parcel of land, known as Jacksons Field, due to concerns about highway access and its failure to comply with local plan policy. A third application for 72 dwellings on the same northern parcel, which proposed a different access strategy, was approved subject to a legal agreement and conditions.

Hollands Farm, Hedsor Road, Hedsor, Buckinghamshire, SL8 5EE (Application 21/06215/OUTEA)

The committee approved the outline planning application for up to 360 dwellings and a primary school at Hollands Farm. This decision was made subject to the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement to secure various planning obligations, including 48% affordable housing, provision for a primary school, open space, biodiversity net gain, and financial contributions towards off-site highway works, bus services, healthcare, and Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) at Spade Oak Lake. Conditions were also imposed to ensure compliance with development plan policies and national planning frameworks.

The application was called in by local ward councillors Councillor Penny Drayton and Councillor Stuart Wilson, who, along with the Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council and objectors Keep Bourne End Green, raised concerns about the development's impact on traffic, infrastructure, and the local environment. They argued that the proposal did not fully deliver the transport strategy outlined in Policy BE2 of the Wycombe Local Plan, specifically the requirement for a link road connecting Cores End Road roundabout and Ferry Lane. Concerns were also raised about the suitability of Bridgestone Drive as an access point and the potential flooding risks associated with the proposed access routes.

The agent for the applicant, David Morris of Catesby Estates, highlighted the benefits of the development, including the provision of 173 affordable homes, 20 acres of green infrastructure, new sports pitches, and financial contributions towards local infrastructure. He stated that the scheme had undergone extensive technical assessment and scrutiny over several years.

The committee debated the application extensively, with particular focus on the transport strategy, heritage impacts, and the provision of infrastructure. Ultimately, the proposal was approved by a vote of 7-2, with the understanding that the legal agreement and conditions would address the identified concerns.

Land Off Princes Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire (Application 23/07579/OUTEA)

This application sought outline permission for up to 72 dwellings with vehicular access from Bridgestone Drive and Hollands Farm, and emergency access from Princes Road. The committee refused this application.

The refusal was based on several grounds, including:

• Failure to comply with Policy BE2: The proposed development did not provide the required link road to Cores End Road roundabout.
• Unacceptable highway impact: The proposed access arrangement via Bridgestone Drive, either alone or in conjunction with potential traffic from the approved southern parcel (Hollands Farm), would generate a significant increase in vehicle movements on Bridgestone Drive. This, combined with existing on-street parking issues and a lack of proposed mitigation, was deemed to have avoidable severe adverse impacts on the local highway network and residential amenity.
• Contrary to Policy DM35: The proposal was considered to have significant adverse impacts on the amenities of neighbouring properties on Bridgestone Drive.
• Contrary to NPPF policies: The proposal was found to be contrary to DP3(2)(d) (efficient delivery of goods and access for service/emergency vehicles), TR3 (locating development in sustainable locations), TR4 (street design, access and parking), and TR6(4) (severe adverse impacts on the highway network).

The committee felt that the benefits of the development were substantially outweighed by the adverse effects.

Land Off Princes Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire (Application 23/06479/OUTEA)

This application, also for up to 72 dwellings on the northern parcel of land, proposed vehicular access from Princes Road, Bridgestone Drive, and Hollands Farm, with emergency access from Princes Road. This application was approved.

The committee's decision to approve this application was based on its compliance with Policy BE2 of the Wycombe Local Plan, as it provided the required link road to Cores End Road roundabout. The access strategy, which included Princes Road, Bridgestone Drive, and Hollands Farm, was considered acceptable by the Highway Authority, and it was believed to distribute traffic more effectively than the refused application. The approval was subject to a legal agreement securing affordable housing, education contributions, open space, SANG contributions, and highway works, along with planning conditions.

Local ward members Councillor Penny Drayton and Councillor Stuart Wilson, along with the Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council and objector Keep Bourne End Green, reiterated their concerns about Princess Road's suitability as an access point, the potential displacement of parking, and the loss of trees at Cores End roundabout. However, the committee ultimately favoured this application due to its compliance with Policy BE2 and its more favourable traffic distribution compared to the refused application.

The committee also discussed the minutes of a previous meeting, agreeing to a minor amendment to reflect the committee's reasoning for a previous refusal.

The meeting concluded with the chairman thanking attendees and declaring the meeting closed at 3:47 pm.