Plans to use Spade Oak quarry as temporary commercial vehicle storage have been met with a huge backlash from the local community.
Over 100 objections have been left on the application with Joy Morrissey MP describing it as “a further threat" on the Green Belt.
Modul-System, a local business that manufactures and installs electrical systems in cars, is looking for a “large scale site” for vehicle storage over the next five years.
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The site was previously used by Disney for filming on their upcoming Star Wars project but now the land could be used for van storage.
It is estimated there would be 350 vehicles stored on the site at once by the Spade Oak Lake and Nature reserve with around 4,000 vehicles passing through the business each year.
They are based at Wooburn Industrial Estate and currently use the ‘Handy Cross Hub’ from August 2018 to store vehicles that are either awaiting fitting or yet to be shipped.
The Handy Cross site is set to be sold by Buckinghamshire Council and therefore Modul-System is looking to find a new parking site.
Spade Oak has been identified as an ideal location and would have the same format as that currently at Handy Cross.
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The site would be used for vehicle storage and transporters would deliver vans to the site and then collect.
It would be used during weekdays and potentially on Saturdays if needed and having working hours of working would be 7am to 6pm.
A portacabin-style building will also be placed on-site to provide welfare facilities and a kitchen for the 10 to 15 staff on site.
It would also act as a security hut to control for the safe exit of vehicles from the site and also monitor the CCTV for security as well as the use of infrared lighting.
Joy Morrissey MP said: ”I am concerned with the impact that this application will have on our environment, particularly as the usage is for a period of five years.
“This is a further threat on our Green Belt, which needs our protection.
“I hope that this application is fully considered and the views of other concerned residents are considered in the decision making process.”
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One resident said: “This is a valuable habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.
“This proposal is simply to benefit a very small number of people to the detriment of the general public by the unjustified loss of public amenity at a time when access to green spaces is at a premium.”
Another added: “The commercial van parking and storage development contravenes policy RUR4 in the current Local Plan adopted in 2019, and is inappropriate development in a Green Belt area.
“No special circumstances have been demonstrated. It is clear to any member of the local community who visits the Country Park that it is misleading to classify this area as ‘brown field land’.
“If these applications get approved they will contravene national and local planning policy.”
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