A LEADING charity's bid to change green belt boundaries so it can build new homes to raise millions of pounds has been thrown out.
The National Society for Epilepsy (NSE), based in Chesham Lane, Chalfont St Peter, is bidding to build homes on part of its site which is designated green belt.
It hopes this will help raise £25million to upgrade facilities.
So far the plans have been opposed for breaching green belt policy by Chiltern district councillors and many residents.
At the council's planning committee, Cllr John Warder slammed what he described as the "tricky dicky" tactics of the NSE's revised application.
He added: "It's an over urbanisation of a quiet country lane."
The committee, which met on Thursday, June 9, also discussed new proposals to build two roundabouts on Chesham Lane as part of the multi-million pound project.
The roundabouts are designed to overcome concerns about poor visibility for motorists travelling to and from the NSE site.
Sensitive Enhancement not Sensational Exploitation, a group opposing the plans, is in the process of distributing 3,000 newsletters to residents in Chalfont St Peter.
Martin Callaghan, founder member of the group, said: "The proposals are ridiculous and the roundabouts would result in a high degree of urbanisation of Chesham Lane. I think they would decrease safety."
Mr Callaghan said the building plans were also "grossly out of keeping with the area".
He added: "I felt the council roundly frowned upon the NSE's new proposals and we are urging as many local residents as possible to attend the inquiry."
A Government inspector will soon open an eight-day public inquiry to decide if the plans to build more than 200 homes and 80 residential homes should be allowed. Councillors voted unanimously to oppose the last-minute amendments as the council does not allow building on green belts.
Tristram Reynolds, director of estates and development at the NSE, said: "Firstly the amendments slow traffic down and therefore make Chesham Lane safer.
"Secondly, they allow us to keep all the oak trees along the public highway. The scheme also shows a different way in which the same number of houses and flats could be fitted as was proposed in our application a year ago."
The public inquiry opens on June 28 at the Chiltern District Council Offices, King George V Road, Amersham.
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