Buckinghamshire Council's West Area Planning Committee met on Wednesday 10 July 2024 and decided to permit three planning applications, subject to conditions and the completion of Section 106 agreements, and to refuse one planning application.

23/07721/FUL - Penn School, Church Road, Penn, HP10 8LZ

The committee approved an application for the conversion of Penn School into a hotel with 33 bedrooms, a wellness spa, restaurants, and other associated facilities. The application site lies within the Green Belt and is also the location of four Grade II listed buildings and a non-designated heritage asset in the form of the gardens. As a result, the application was considered to be inappropriate development, but the committee agreed that very special circumstances applied to the site, in the form of the heritage, economic, and other benefits associated with the scheme. The application generated a large number of objections from local residents, primarily concerned with the potential for increased noise and disturbance from the proposed use of the site, the increase in traffic volumes on local roads and the loss of light and privacy to surrounding properties. The committee heard from Councillor Nathan Thomas and a statement was read on behalf of Councillor Katrina Wood, both supporting the application, but asking for stronger conditions, in particular regarding noise and the shuttle bus provision. The concerns of local residents were set out by Richard Anstis who asked the committee to defer a decision on the application in order for more meaningful conversations to take place with the applicant and for stronger conditions to be secured. However, the applicant's agent, Sarah Moorhouse of Lichfields, confirmed that a number of concessions had been agreed to address the residents concerns. These included all amplified live music ceasing by 11:30pm, all functions finishing by midnight, and the bistro bar closing by 11pm. All of these concessions were to be included in a Noise Management Plan that the applicant is required to submit to the council for approval before any development commences. The committee also heard representations from Miles Green, Vice Chair of the Penn and Tylers Green Residents Society, and Sarah Patterson, a descendent of Sir Philip Rose, the original owner of the building, who both spoke in support of the application. The application will now be referred to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Consultation England direction, because it constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

22/07126/FUL - 3 Kestrel Drive, Hazlemere, HP15 7JL

The committee approved an application for the demolition of a detached bungalow and the construction of two four bedroom houses at 3 Kestrel Drive, Hazlemere. The application was called in to the committee by local Ward Councillors because of residents concerns regarding the siting of the proposal, potential overspill parking onto the public highway, and a lack of conformity with the newly adopted Hazlemere Neighbourhood Plan. In particular, the proposed dwellings were not considered to comply with policy HAZ NP1 of the neighbourhood plan, which seeks to ensure that new homes are suitable for first time buyers and those wishing to downsize. However, the committee accepted the officer's recommendation that whilst policy HAZNP1 encourages houses appropriate in scale, design and affordability for first time buyers and downsizers, there is insufficient policy weight to recommend a refusal .
The committee heard objections from local residents Susan Jamson and Colette Lawton and a statement was read on behalf of Suresh Nahar of Hazlemere Parish Council, but ultimately voted to permit the application.

“The people of Hazlemere want their families to remain in the area and not to be priced out by overdevelopment of financially unattainable four-bedroom houses.” Cllr Suresh Nahar, Hazlemere Parish Council

24/05845/OUT - 259 West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe, HP12 3AS

The committee refused an application for outline planning permission (including details of access, appearance, layout and scale) for the demolition of an existing dwelling and the construction of a three-storey building containing six flats at 259 West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe. The application, submitted by Councillor Arif Hussain, was refused because it was considered to have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the street scene, to fail to achieve a satisfactory standard of living environment for future occupiers, and to result in loss of light and overbearing impact on 261 West Wycombe Road. The application also failed to demonstrate biodiversity net gain¹ and insufficient information was provided in relation to drainage matters. The committee heard a representation from Beth Walton, speaking on behalf of the applicant.

“The proposed development is in keeping with the character and appearance of the area, one which is highly characterized by a variety of different flatter developments, which all make a fact of use of the land.” Beth Walton, Agent