Another patch of Chesham Green Belt under threat

This time, Green Belt & AONB to the North-West of Chesham is under threat of development

​BNG have just heard that another new strip of Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is under threat of development.   This is in addition to the ongoing threat of 900 homes on the Green Belt to the North-East of Chesham in Lye Green.   

The new application site is located to the North-West of Chesham.  More precisely, to the South-West of Chess Vale Bowling Club on Asheridge Road, bordering on Darvell Drive.

Worryingly, the Developer's Planning Statement uses as justification for building on this Green Belt site the fact that the Council is considering removing Green Belt status from the Lye Green Site to build 900 homes. 
(Ref:  Pg 29 Para 8.34).  Without wishing to sound alarmist regarding this justification, the proposal for the 900 homes on the Lye Green site may become the thin edge of the wedge for the rest of the Green Belt and AONB around Chesham which is already one of the largest settlements within Chiltern District.  Certainly the impression given is that it can do little harm to cram more houses into the already overburdened Chesham area.

Despite being a narrow road, over the previous two decades, Asheridge Road has had more than its fair share of new houses causing traffic and parking challenges for the local residents.  This development will just add to this pressure build-up despite the Developer's naive claims of sustainable transport into Chesham.

The Planning Application and associated Documents can be found here on the Chiltern District Council Planning Portal.  The Application Reference No is
CH/2018/0659/OA
The Consultation closes on Tuesday 5th June (probably 5pm).  

We need to send a strong message to the Council that it is not open season on the Green Belt around Chesham.  It is no more right to build 99 homes on this Asheridge plot as it is to build 900 homes up at Lye Green.  If you have the time over the next ten days to put in a quick objection, this will help get this message across.  In your objection, only refer to the Asheridge site so as not to muddy the water.   

A brief objection is better than no objection at all.  The most painless way to object is to register on the Planning Portal and fill in the online Comments form.  It really is quick & easy and it will even remember your details for next time you wish to object to any planning applications!  My objection took only fifteen minutes to complete.

As Chesham residents, we all have a duty to protect the Green Belt all the way around Chesham not just our immediate neighbourhoods.  Developers and other organisations are beginning to swarm around this precious land to meet their own aims with scant regard to the protection of the Green Belt. 

We hope you can find the time to submit your objection.  Please also share this with your friends, family and colleagues.  

Thanks again for all your support.  
​
The BNG Team