The community is rallying to fight plans for up to 450 new homes in Beaconsfield after developers announced they were launching an appeal after the council refused to allow it to go ahead. 

The Portman Estate's plans to create Beeches Park, a new housing estate along the A355 Amersham Road, were turned down by Buckinghamshire Council in December last year because they said it would be "inappropriate" in the Green Belt. 

As well as 450 homes, they had hoped to build a "local centre", community facilities, sports and recreation pitches with changing facilities and land for a new primary and pre-school could be provided.

The developers are not letting their plans for Beeches Park go without a fight - and announced they would be launching an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate against the refusal.

“We can confirm we have submitted an appeal on our plans for up to 450 new homes at Beeches Park, Beaconsfield to help address the urgent need for new market and affordable housing for young people, families and key workers," the developers said in a statement. 

“We are clear that the merits of this site have already been established in the Draft Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan 2036 and that there are Very Special Circumstances to justify the development of Green Belt land.

“We believe new homes are a crucial part of addressing the current housing crisis.

Bucks Free Press: Beeches Park

"This situation has only got worse since we submitted our application to Buckinghamshire Council in August 2021 and with a Local Plan review for Beaconsfield unlikely until 2025 at the very earliest, there is an urgent need to take action.

“Our approach is focused on the highest quality of design and the opportunity to create something special with significant community benefits, facilities and opportunities.

"We remain committed to making Beaconsfield a better place for future generations and to working closely with the community and other stakeholders."

Now, concerned residents, a number of whom responded to the plans with a flurry of objections, are trying to rally to fight the plans. 

The Beaconsfield Society is urging residents to help with cash towards a 'fighting fund' that will pay for a barrister and experts to represent their case when the appeal goes to a public inquiry.

They said: "Our view is that in order to stand the best chance of defeating this appeal and protecting our Green Belt from future similar challenges, we must attend the Planning Appeal Inquiry and present expert evidence with our barrister present to cross-examine the applicant's expert's evidence.

"Unfortunately the Planning Inquiry will require more funds than we have and so we have had to take the decision to ask for donations to cover the costs of our barrister and experts."

They are expecting to need an extra £40,000 to pay for the work needed. 

They added: "Please can you donate to protect our Green Belt? We would need 800 people to donate £50 or 400 people to donate £100, but please donate whatever you can.

"The people of Beaconsfield have come together before to save our Green Belt and we know we can do it again."

If you wish to donate, you can send money via PayPal at http://PayPal.me/thebecsoc, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/beaconsfield-society or email thebecsoc@gmail.com for instructions to donate by cheque.