Wycombe's The Happy Union pub won't be demolished for flats

This is just one of the applications submitted to Buckinghamshire Council in the past seven days.

To view more details for each application, go to the council’s planning portal with the reference number attached.

A new office block could be constructed at Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe (22/07734/FUL).

Hawes Recycling Centre want to demolish its current temporary office building as its intended use comes to an end and is no longer fit for purpose.

It states the current office is not particularly well insulated, so it becomes very hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

A new two-storey office building has been proposed that will have proper insulation and more efficient heating/cooling systems.

The modern space will also suit their operations and business requirements. Planning officers are yet to determine the application.

Officers refuse plans to demolish former pub into flats at Boundary Road, Loudwater (22/06737/FUL).

The ‘dilapidated’ former Happy Union pub was in danger of being lost forever for a developer to construct a three-storey apartment block, holding one one-bed and nine two-bedrooms.

The pub closed in mid-2020 as it was not a commercial hit with the local area and had seen its custom drop shortly before its closure.

But the plans were met with objections from five residents and even from Bucks Council, who told the developer in a pre-application meeting that they would ‘resist’ the loss of a community facility unless the developer can prove this won’t be the case.

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One resident, who lived in Loudwater for 60 years, said the plans will ‘not enhance’ the area, adding: “Parking is now a major concern in Loudwater as all local roads have become nothing more than car parks for vehicles unable to park on their own site.

“The refuse lorries have difficulty manoeuvring between double parked vehicles on both sides of the roads (on the pavements) and heaven forbid that an emergency vehicle should be stuck.

“This creates huge problems for residents, as some of the parking is very inconsiderate, leading to difficulty actually exiting/entering their own driveway etc.”

Planning officers refused the scheme for six reasons, including lack of affordable homes, heritage impacts, it would be ‘detriment’ to the local area in terms of appearance, and the standard of space of the flats was ‘unsatisfactory.

A former medical centre site could become flats at Jackson Road, Aylesbury (22/03890/APP).

Housing association Thrive Homes want to demolish the former Meadowcroft Surgery and build a three-storey ‘L-shaped’ apartment block that holds nine one-beds, 14 two-beds, and three three-bedroom flats, all of which are affordable.

This is another stab at redeveloping the site after a first attempt to build 31 flats was refused as the design of the block would be ‘out of keeping’ with the local area.

The developer has proposed 27 car parking spaces, including two disabled bays and three electric charging points. A large cycle storage is also included that can hold up to 30 bicycles.

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Planning officers were also concerned about the former surgery’s relocation as premature development could create a shortfall in local health care provision.

However, the applicant states it has now merged with Berrycroft Community Health Centre, which is an upgraded facility in a suitable location.

They state: “The proposal optimises this redundant and previously developed site by providing much-needed affordable housing in a sustainable location. There is an acute need for affordable housing in the district with very few schemes coming forward on brownfield land in recent years to address growing demand.”