Chesham: Fury at plans for storage barn near Pednor Loop popular with dog walkers

Syed Ahmed has submitted an application to build a new agricultural barn to store farming equipment and tools on green belt land in Pednor Road, part of the Pednor Loop, in Chesham.

According to the planning statement, Mr Ahmed is the registered owner of the freehold land – plot 14 – and wants to use the land for growing organic vegetables to supply to supermarkets.

The planning statement says: “The owner would like to use the land to farm on, and as such, wishes to have an agricultural barn to store farming equipment.

“He would like to grow organic vegetables and Chinese cabbages which would require equipment such as a tractor and other essential tools.

“A storage facility would be required to securely store machinery and equipment and it would not be practical to farm without this.”

It adds: “The scale of the proposed barn is common for agricultural buildings and will therefore not appear out of character within the landscape.”

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But almost 60 residents have objected to the plans so far, with concerns the building would have a “significant impact on wildlife” and criticisms of the structure’s “poor design”.

Marianne Moberg, from Chesham, wrote: “This is an extremely popular area for walkers and runners with both access to Pednor and Chartridge Lane.

“There would be significant impact on wildlife and the plan for the structure looks abhorrent.

“How can this blend into to one of the most beautiful views in the Chilterns?

PICTURED: The site plan with the proposed building in red. Image by Statim Build

“I am also majorly concerned about the access to the site as the road is already too narrow with low visibility for current traffic, and hugely popular with cyclists.”

And Anthony Clegg, also from Chesham, said: “I’d like to object to this development for various reasons. The structure is a poor piece of design and far too large for the proposed purpose.

“It will be a visual blight on the cherished Pednor area.

“The proposed development of the site to grow Chinese vegetables seems at odds with other site restrictions like access and drainage.

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“It would also clearly lead to a creep of other smaller structures like greenhouses and polyurethane pods.

“I also fail to see how this would be of help to local business – I’m sure the real plan is to sell far and wide.

“Access by road is insufficient and should surely be discouraged. The pathway leading from Lowndes park is very popular with local walkers/runners and would be decimated by this development.

“An objectionable idea all round.”

Another resident, named only as Dr Laura T, said she was concerned the building would result in people not being able to enjoy the countryside, which would impact on their physical and mental health.

PICTURED: A floor plan of the proposed barn. Image: Statim Build

She wrote: “I object to this application as it is located within an area of outstanding natural beauty and therefore, will have a damaging and negative effect on the environment and wildlife.

“The area in question is also very popular with walkers and ramblers and will therefore have a negative and detrimental effect on the local community.

“The limitation this will place on being able to walk safety and to be able to enjoy the countryside will no doubt impact both physical and mental health in the local community.”

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According to the planning statement, as well as supplying the vegetables to local supermarkets, the owner is planning to buy and supply the vegetables in his own shops.

It says: “The produce from the land will be supplied to supermarkets. This will create more jobs through farming, and it will support local businesses by supplying locally sourced produce.

“It will be both economically sustainable and environmentally responsible.

“The client also owns a few shops, and he is planning to also buy the vegetables and to subsequently supply them in the shops.”

To view the plans, go to www.chiltern.gov.uk/viewplanningapplications with reference PL/20/2943/FA.