Plans refused for new build at Challen's Chicks in Taplow

Mr Challen has been refused permission for a new three-bed home for his family at Challen’s Chicks (farm), on Marsh Lane, in Taplow.

Planning committee members said it ‘did not meet the requirement for exceptional circumstances’.

READ MORE: ‘New build for industrial scale poultry farm is unjustified’

PICTURED: What the chalet-style bungalow would have looked like

The new build was to help maintain the farm which is largely centred on laying hens and egg sales, which the applicant claims is a “viable” business.

Permission for a mobile home for a period of three was granted in 2018.

At the time it was considered there was “an essential need” for a full-time worker to live on site.

“What is the need to replace the mobile home?” asked Cllr Wendy Matthews. “Why is there a need to have a permanent structure?”

She said she felt this was not ‘necessarily an exceptional circumstance’, adding: “Why could we not just give them another three years of the temporary permission?”

READ MORE: Town expansion ‘costs’ rise to £131m – with relief road completion scheduled in 2030

Cllr: 'Could we not just give them another three years?'

A council officer said the mobile home was permitted to enable the business to ‘establish itself and demonstrate it is on a sound and sustainable financial footing’.

Cllr Santokh Chhokar said “nothing had really struck” him about this application as having exceptional circumstances, adding it would “further weaken” the Green Belt.

He proposed a motion to reject the application and was backed by Cllr Roger Reed.

Committee members voted in their majority to refuse permission.

We’ve launched a new Facebook group for local news junkies, politics fans and everyone who wants to keep up to date with the latest issues affecting Taplow. Please join the conversation over at Buckinghamshire Politics