Residents can soon have a say on the future of planning in Chesham after consultation dates were revealed.

Chesham Town Council has now announced the upcoming dates when residents, community groups and businesses can have their say on the Chesham Neighbourhood Plan.

The major regeneration plan comes after an initial consultation last year, which attracted more than 1,500 responses.

What is the proposal?

 

If the new plan is adopted, future developments could focus on brownfield land instead of the green belt.

Together with the Local Plan it will also provide the framework for deciding planning applications in Chesham until 2036 and ensures Chesham receives the higher rate of 25 percent Community Infrastructure Levy contributions from developers for local projects.

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Chesham Town Council is proposing four Neighbourhood Development Orders (NDOs) under the overall plan covering 19 brownfield sites across the town, including vacant plots, car parks and older industrial and office buildings.

See the map below for all the proposed sites in Newtown, The Yards, Town Centre and Waterside.

The proposal doesn't mean parking and commercial use will be lost or that the suggested sites are guaranteed to be developed, the Town Council said. Historic buildings, green space and amenities will be retained. 

The Town Council is looking to mix new homes with commercial and other uses and moving parking into underground or multi storey car parks, they said. 

The NDOs cannot force landowners to redevelop the land, but the aim of the orders is to encourage them to do so in the future. 

The Town Council expects a referendum on each of the 19 NDO sites in the early 2024. 

How to take part in the consultation 

The consultation events open to everyone are set to take place on Thursday September 28 between 3pm and 8pm and Saturday September 30 between 10am and 4pm at the Town Hall on Parsonage Lane. 

At the events, the Town Council will set out the draft plan and members of the team will be available to answer questions. 

For anyone not able to attend the consultation events, the Town Council is planning to record a presentation explaining the details of the plan and upload it on the Town Council website. 

More information about the event can be found at www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/chesham-town-council-60260379423