Brown Not Green Chesham Ltd
is aware that a developer, Capreon is consulting on proposals for 150 homes plus all weather sports pitch on the Green Belt at Lye Green NE of Chesham. Brown Not Green would like to hear comments from the local community to these proposals too.
Also register your interest in Brown Not Green and to find out how you can help or be kept informed.
Brown Not Green have recently become aware that a business called Capreon, who represent the landowners of the northern fields owned by Geltex Ltd (itself registered in Gibraltar), are undertaking a public consultation presumably in anticipation of making a planning application in the near future.
The proposals for their development of this area of Green Belt and high quality agricultural land appears to be for;
Up to 150 new homes, of which up to 40% will be “affordable”.
A new 3G All Weather Pitch (AWP) and a community sports pavilion.
Walking and cycling routes, including a circular route around the edges of the proposed development together with enhanced landscaping and screening.
There will be a display/exhibition presented by Capreon at:
White Hill Centre in Chesham, HP5 1AG,
on Tuesday 27th May 2025 between 3pm to 8pm.
A leaflet by Capreon has been in circulation
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY:
http://landnortheastofchesham.co.uk/
They also appear to have set up a consultation website which currently contains little more that the information within their basic two page leaflet.
BROWN NOT GREEN WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT LOCAL RESIDENTS THINK OF THESE PROPOSALS TOO!
Please copy us into any email responses: [email protected]
Brown Not Green feel it would be inappropriate and wrong to offer comment or to suggest any objection at this time until we know further details from the developers.
Brown Not Green note that Capreon are requesting comments on their website or by email from the public.
BNG would appreciate any public comments from Members, Supporters or local residents to these proposals to likewise be copied to Brown Not Green too.
Brown Not Green intend to participate in this consultation and particularly wish to seek further details from Capreon on the following issuers:
Details regarding vehicular access off Lycrome Road and particularly any highways safety issues as well as the proposed impact on the nearby road junctions.
Parking provision on site especially relating to the new houses and the proposed All Weather Pitch and community sports pavilion given the paucity of car parking at the nearby Chiltern Athletic football pitches (at the former Lycrome College site) where cars are already often parked along Lycrome Road especially at weekends.
Whether floodlighting will be used on the proposed All Weather Pitch and how it might impact wildlife and its effect upon the nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Obviously, Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land will be lost forever too with inevitable impacts on wildlife and biodiversity that Brown Not Green will want to see addressed.
Also, how the developer proposes to address the SANG issue too (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) to protect sensitive natural areas like Special Protection Areas (SPAs) nearby.
Whilst both the landowners and Capreon are aware of the Brown Not Green community group given the Public Inquiry that was held in 2023 where Brown Not Green were very well represented, it seems strange that the developer, whilst claiming to want to consult with the community, has (as of the date of writing this) not communicated with BNG directly regarding the forthcoming consultation or proposals!
Residents around Chesham will be aware that BNG have been working for over 10 years to protect the Green Belt at Lye Green from development and most recently applied for the fields at Lye Green to be designated as a Town or Village Green (TVG).
A Public Inquiry was held between 21st -29th March, 2023 to consider this. The Independent Inspector’s decision was published in Sept 2023 and unfortunately BNG were unsuccessful in getting the land designated as a Village Green despite the persuasive evidence submitted by over 200 local people (17 of whom appeared as witnesses at the Inquiry).
See website archives for further historic info.
Anyone wishing to get involved with Brown Not Green or willing to help this ongoing community campaign should contact the organising committee via the contact us section of the website.
Please subscribe and share. PowerPoint with narration video by Phillip Plato, BNG Chairman, on public update/'What is a Village Green' is live.
https://youtu.be/VmKylde05ZI
https://www.youtube.com/@brownnotgreen-chesham
Background
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South Bucks and Chiltern District Council's withdrawn Local Plan included the removal of 60 hectares of agricultural land from Green Belt to the North East of Chesham and initially for building:
This is despite the land once being listed as an Asset of Community Value. Click here for BACKGROUND and HISTORY of the Brown Not Green (BNG) Campaign including video and audio clips |
Brown Not Green (BNG) think Brownfield land has not been fully explored for local housing need and that Green Belt land should not be looked at as a first choice for development when other less harmful options exist nearer the town centre and the Underground station.
BNG believe the Council have used flawed methodology for identifying sites to meet local housing need and that Lye Green is an unsustainable location. BNG ask how land can be listed as an Asset of Community Value on one hand but have its Greenbelt status taken away on the other hand. Read how the Council have sinced shamelessly revoked ACV Status to try and push their flawed Local Plan through. BNG support the more sustainable alternatives promoted by Chesham Renaissance CIC Masterplan (another community lead group). This would not only provide more affordable housing but would regenerate the town centre too whilst creating less traffic congestion. |
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BNG feel the Council's Plan will cause harm to the wider town:
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