Plans for 122 new flats on Abbey Barn Lane refused

Berkeley Homes Ltd has been refused permission to build two separate “age restricted” apartment buildings on part of the Abbey Barn South site, on Abbey Barn Lane, in High Wycombe.

The decision was taken during a West Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee, on Tuesday (April 27).

PICTURED: What the new build might have looked like 

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A motion was proposed by Cllr Sarfaraz Raja and seconded by Cllr Chris Whitehead.

The 1.8-hectare area, which is close to the Daws Hill Lane bridge crossing of the M40, would have comprised 71 one-bed and 51 two-bed flats for use as an Extra Care Facility (for people in need of care) – 122 in total.

It is understood 60 would have been for affordable rent.

PICTURED: A map of the area 

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There were also 50 parking spaces planned, vehicle access (via Pine Trees), and an allotment area.

The flats would have been age restricted, starting 55 years and up.

However, the proposal faced rejection, in part, because it would result in “the loss of much needed employment land”.

“It would result in the permanent loss of allocated and deliverable employment land in a heavily constrained area,” a planning document stated.

“This would adversely and unacceptably impact the local economy.”

Members voted in their majority to refuse Berkeley Homes Ltd.

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