Parish council launches campaign to fight housing plans
CHALFONT St Peter parish council has launched a huge campaign to make residents aware of the threat the village faces if Chiltern District Council's (CDC) plans to build nearly 800 new homes there goes ahead.
The development, which has been described by parish council chairman Richard Allen as "the biggest threat this village has faced in the last 40 years", would see the historic site of the former Holy Cross Convent School being bulldozed to make room for 400 new homes, with a number of other dwellings scattered across the village at sites such as Newland Park and Nortoft Road.
The parish council fears that the village's infrastructure will not be able to cope with the increase in in housing and has set up a Village Design Statement (VDS) group to try and provide a realistic alternative to the plans, which will let the village to retain its character at the same time as allowing new homes to be built.
This week, they have visited every house in the village to put a flyer through the door, explaining to residents about the threat the village is facing and letting them know about the aims of the VDS group.
They have also set up two large scale meetings which residents are being urged to attend to gain a better understanding of the proposals, and to help them get their voices heard.
It is hoped that the more residents show an interest in the plans, the more likely it is that the VDS is listened to by CDC.
John Hatton, leader of the group, said: "This development threatens to damage the character of our environment, clog our streets, overload our schools and other resources and increase the volume and frequency of sewage flooding on Lower Road.
"We need to fight the size of the expansion but also make sure that whatever does get built is in keeping with the character of the village and also improves our amenities, rather than overloads them."
The first meeting is set to take place this Saturday at the parish council offices at 9am, with the second on November 7.
More information on the VDS can be found at www.villagedesignstatement.com
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