Residents of a village in Bucks are fighting back against a proposed housing development on Green Belt land.

Buckinghamshire Council are considering a proposal for the development of four houses on protected Green Belt land near Hampden Farm Barn in Greenlands Lane, Prestwood.

The application site, on the edge of Prestwood village, is also within the bounds of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The project proposal has twice been rejected by the council on the grounds that the site contributes positively to the surrounding countryside and due to the potential harm caused by a residential development. 

Mr and Mrs J. Kirby originally proposed the development of 13 homes on the Hampden Farm Park land in 2021, but have revised their application to only four properties after the initial plans were rejected. 

Other revisions to the original proposal include the removal of an 'estate road' formerly shown on an indicative site layout and a new habitat bank on the residential land. 

Buckinghamshire Council called the initial proposal 'inappropriate development within the Green Belt' due to it not complying with the exceptions for protected land development as laid out in the UK's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 

The site is, however, considered to be Previously Developed Land due to its equestrian use. The NPPF states: "The use of previously developed land should be encouraged where suitable opportunities exist."

Dozens of residents in Prestwood and Great Missenden have voiced dissent over the re-application of development plans.

Helen Armitage expressed concern that the proposal was being submitted a third time without sufficient modification.

She said: "The decisions to reject the applications the last two times have not magically changed."

Sarah Peter added: "An urban development would be the end of many species of plants, birds and animals that currently reside in the field and closest area of woodland.

"I live opposite the proposed road entrance and exit so the traffic increase would also be a major disruption to my life."

Fellow resident, Simon Laurie, shared her concern about increased congestion.

He suggested that additional housing would be dangerous for the environment, with more people reliant on cars resulting in a higher overall carbon footprint. 

Joanne Gillett added that she was concerned Green Belt development in Prestwood would set a worrying precedent for protected areas elsewhere. 

She said: "In the future, other applications will argue that if this was allowed then why not others. Soon all the delightful countrified aspects of Prestwood will be lost and it will become an urban sprawl."

Chiltern and South Bucks Council are encouraging people to comment on the application by today, March 17. 

Readers can share their thoughts by visiting the Chilterns Planning Portal here or emailing the council at planning.comments.csb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.