Hollands Farm, Bourne End: Developers reveal plan for 400 homes and school - but residents urged not to get 'distracted'

Catesby Estates have this week delivered leaflets to hundreds of homes in the area outlining their plan to build up to 400 homes on Hollands Farm.

They are intending to launch a public consultation on February 18 – just one day after a Buckinghamshire Council consultation about the site’s future ends.

But campaigners have urged Bourne End residents not to be “distracted” by Catesby Estates’ leaflets, and instead focus on adding their comments to Buckinghamshire Council’s consultation first.

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Buckinghamshire Council said they “regret” that the developers sent out letters to residents “without our agreement”, adding: “The two consultations are entirely separate.”

Hollands Farm, a 23.74-acre former Green Belt site, has been earmarked for around 467 homes, a new primary school and a link road between Princes Road and Hedsor Road.

The council’s consultation, which ends on February 17, allows residents to comment on the development brief they have created for Hollands Farm, which sets out how the site should be built on - and what developers should do to improve surrounding areas in mitigation.

According to Buckinghamshire Council, building on Hollands Farm will provide an opportunity to add extra vehicle accesses from Bridgestone Drive, Millboard Road and Wessex Road and possibly re-route existing bus services through the new development.

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It could also improve connectivity for pedestrians, provide a much-needed new school and a healthcare facility and relieve visitor pressure at Burnham Beeches by creating recreational open space and contributing to enhancements at Little Marlow gravel pits.

However, they highlighted weaknesses of building on the site too – including that nearby country roads are unsuitable for modern traffic, and it could cause “reduced separation” between Wooburn and Bourne End.

The Hollands Farm site

Overall, the council has a vision of an “attractive and sustainable residential neighbourhood” where people will “happily choose to live”.

They also want to make sure new homes aren’t built in areas of flooding from the river, will range in size from one to three storeys, and outlined plans for a primary school, junior sports pitches, a multi-use games area and “informal” recreation facility for teenagers to meet at.

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The brief also says Cores End roundabout will need to be realigned or redesigned because it is currently “unsafe” for cars accessing Princes Road and the bridge over the River Wye at the roundabout is “too narrow”.

The council’s report says if the roundabout cannot be made larger, then development on Hollands Farm should not be allowed to go ahead.

Other junctions, such as where Furlong Road meets Cores End Road and Station Road, and Hedsor Road and Ferry Lane, will need to be “assessed” for capacity and safety.

Residents are being urged to read through the 129-page development brief and submit their comments before the council’s deadline of February 17 at 5.15pm.

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Cabinet member for planning and enforcement, Cllr Warren Whyte, said: “The development brief being put to consultation today provides detail on how the site should be developed.

“It was designed to take into account national and local planning policy, as well as local infrastructure and environmental considerations, and community aspirations.

“We look forward to hearing feedback from residents on the brief so we can consider their points fully before adopting it.”

Responses can be made online, by email, or in writing to the council – go to https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/planning/hollands-farm-consultation to take part.