THE DEMOLITION of a “sound family home” in favour of two new detached properties has been approved – but not without concern for local drivers.
Conditional permission for a pair of two-storey detached homes with integral garages in place of an existing two-storey house just off the High Street, in Prestwood, has been given the green light by a planning committee.
However, its approval was met with strong opposition by Great Missenden Parish Council which called it “inappropriate” and “out of keeping” with the street – and by Cllr John Gladwin who fears a resulting loss of street parking presenting a “dangerous situation”.
READ MORE: ‘Overbearing’ development thrown out due to impact on neighbours
Both houses will have four bedrooms, each with a garden, two parking bays, and a driveway onto the high street – one using the existing access.
Cllr Gladwin called the item in for scrutiny citing among his concerns on-site parking issues, garden space, impact on neighbours, and loss of street parking.
Other objections also cited loss of street parking, demolition of a “sound family home”, and inadequate space.
Loss of street parking was unfounded by the Highways Authority.
“On the road there is two parking spaces,” said Cllr Gladwin. “Prestwood High Street is very busy, it’s mainly restricted parking and those spaces are very valuable in terms of accessing shops.
“We’re not gaining any parking on site and we’re losing two spaces on the street.
“We should not be approving something without Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) telling us what they want to do about that. We should defer until we know the situation.
“Prestwood High Street is extremely busy, cars fly along there. We have a situation where people will have to reverse into the on-site spaces or reverse out into the street.
“Both of those are fraught with danger. Without adequate room to manoeuvre and bring the car out forwards we have a dangerous situation.”
Cllr Jonathan Rush agreed.
Planning officer Mike Shires noted all residents, including the existing, ‘reverse out of their properties’ and removal of the on-street spaces gives “greater visibility”.
The property itself is nestled in a row of semi-detached Victorian houses which lies within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The applicant, Mr Brooker, was granted conditional permission to pull down an existing two-storey detached property, a single garage, and outbuildings to make way for the build.
Members voted in the majority to approve the application but with an additional condition withdrawing permitted development rights for one of the properties.
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