Outline plans for 33 affordable homes on Green Belt land have been refused.

Developers wanted to build ‘starter homes’ on land off Hog Lane in Ashley Green, near Chesham, with off-street parking and private gardens.

They said in planning documents that the development “would have no bearing on encroachment into the countryside and would be sited so as to have minimal impact on any perceived special character of Ashley Green”.

They added: “It is acknowledged, however, that the development of the site in question does not directly assist in urban regeneration.

“Nonetheless… the delivery of the proposed affordable housing on the Green Belt site in question is a necessity born from an acute shortage of housing land, as is readily acknowledged by BCC in their development plan.

“Therefore, the nature of the proposals constitutes very special circumstances that outweigh any perceived harm from development to the Green Belt.”

There were 85 letters of objection submitted online, with residents concerned about the “detrimental impact” on the Green Belt, the loss of countryside, habitat and hedgerows, and an increase in pollution as a result.

They also felt the size of the development would “change the character of the village”, cause harm to Pancake and Hockeridge Woods, result in a loss of privacy to adjacent properties and gardens and concerns about pedestrian safety.

Objections were also received from Ashley Green Parish Council, Ashley Green & District Community Association, Countryside Charity Buckinghamshire and The Chiltern Society.

Two letters of support were also received, saying there was a “need for affordable homes in Ashley Green”, the development created an “opportunity for first time buyers to live locally to where they grew up” and that new footpaths can be created in the village.

Planning officers wrote in their decision notice: “… the introduction of a residential development comprising 33 dwellings would result in a loss of openness which is an essential characteristic of the Green Belt.

“It would also fail to safeguard the countryside from encroachment and to check the unrestricted sprawl of the built-up area to which it adjoins, which are two of the main purposes of the Green Belt.

“No very special circumstances exist that are sufficient to outweigh the harm caused to the Green Belt by the reason of inappropriateness and other harm identified.”

They also said the proposal would create “inappropriate development which by definition is harmful to the Green Belt” and building 33 houses on the “relatively modest” site would “result in a more suburban development that is at odds with the semi-rural vernacular of dwellings located along Hog Lane and Chesham Road, and the local rural landscape character”.

They added: “There would be a resultant loss of openness and loss of countryside which would detract from the character of the existing settlement.”

To see the decision notice in full, go to www.chiltern.gov.uk/viewplanningapplications with reference PL/20/3760/OA.