Construction of about 30 homes behind Great Missenden High Street will cause 'substantial disruption and closures in the area over the next three years', according to developer Peker Holding.

The company had planned to bring all construction traffic through the Station car park but delays in the development of a policy for Sustainable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) by Buckinghamshire Council have forced them to use the High Street instead.

Peker Holding says it has been waiting more than 15 months for a resolution to its planning application, which would have solved the issue.

A spokesperson for Peker Holding expressed deep disappointment with the lack of progress on the SANG policy, stating that they had been in discussions with the Council for three years since the original planning application was consented.

They said: “We have been in discussion with the Council for three years now since the original planning application was consented. We submitted a second, fresh application to transform the approach and forecourt to Great Missenden Station, provide new homes and ensure access to (and all construction for) the land behind the High Street came through the station car park.

"We are supportive of the importance of protecting specific woodland areas and developing new public space and have always been willing to make a financial contribution towards this, however, the SANGs issue has now been running for well over 15 months and the Council have made little or no progress, unlike other Councils around the country.

“The impact of Construction Traffic on the High Street and impact on local businesses will be significant we deeply regret, however the responsibility for this sits firmly with the Council.”

They had submitted a second application to transform the approach and forecourt to Great Missenden Station, provide new homes, and ensure access to the land behind the High Street came through the station car park.

The impact of the construction traffic on the High Street and local businesses is expected to be significant, and Peker Holding regrets the disruption it will cause.

They firmly place responsibility for this on the Council, emphasising that the delays in the development of the SANG policy have left them with no choice but to start construction via the High Street.

Buckinghamshire Council said it is taking longer to approve the application as the site sits within the Zone of Influence of the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (CBSAC), a legally protected area.

Councillor Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration said: “Peker Holding submitted an application at Land at Great Missenden Railway Station for the demolition of the existing car sales yard and development of two mixed-use buildings with 33 residential apartments.

"This is currently awaiting approval subject to a suitable alternative natural green space (SANG) being found on or near the site. This is because Great Missenden sits within the Zone of Influence of the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (CBSAC) . We are working with the developer to try and help resolve this but as the CBSAC has legal protection the developer has to provide certain mitigation before planning approvals can be made.

"This is a national designation and the Council has to work within the limits of the designation.

"The onus to find the SANG is ultimately on the developer and we are trying to help in that process.”