March 1, 2001 16:27: COUNCILLORS granted the next stage of a planning application for a £35 million development despite raising concerns about possible flooding and extra traffic.

The plans at the Deanes and Vitramon sites in Wycombe Lane, Wooburn Green, comprise of six units in five blocks, but councillors at a planning applications panel heard last week there are fears that the area is liable to flood.

Ian Scott, from Wycombe Lane, Wooburn Green, said the development would be too close to his home.

He said: "The second objection is the amount of traffic that travels along Wycombe Lane. There have been plans to widen that lane but it has never happened."

He said the extra traffic which would be generated by the development on the former Glory Mill site was "a very hazardous outlook " for children walking along the road to school.

Andrew Ilsley, managing director of Comlan Industrial and Commercial Properties, said that now the development would be 28.5 metres from Mr Scott's house whereas in the initial phase the fence would only have been nine metres from his home.

He said: "We are more than happy to have good quality landscaping which suits everybody there. Highways were considered and accepted by this community. The site meets council parking standards.

Cllr John Dalton (Ind, The Wooburns) said: "This is the final stage of a scheme that has been going on for some time now. It is the wish of the community, that for the benefit of the community, it is completed as soon as possible."

Cllr Richard Pushman (Con, Naphill-cum-Bradenham) said: "One of the reasons we are told we have an epidemic of flooding is because we have covered the area with tarmacadam. Many members of the rural areas are experiencing flooding problems that they haven't before."

The application was granted.

Kelly Clayton