Schools, roads and drains threat from housing plans

Deputy leader of the council, Linda Smith, who represents Chalfont Common, said the council was having to make decisions on the issue both hands tied around its back'. She said: "No one is suggesting we don't want any new dwellings in our village but everyone who has written is worried the existing infrastructure can't cope. I've met with all our schools in Chalfont St Peter and they have stated they are already full and turning children away. They've explained it would not just be adding one extra classroom, but one for every year in the schools."
She expressed concern for the former Holy Cross Convent site. She added: "It's the most historic site in the village. I would like to invite the officers to look again at this site and to support English Heritage's application to protect it."
A total of 400 houses are proposed for Chalfont St Peter in the new version of the document - a reduction of 120, although 70 have already either been built or received planning permission.
Cllr Smith also called for the Newlands Park site, where an additional 200 homes are proposed to be built, to be included in the allocation of housing for Chalfont St Peter village and for it not to be a separate issue.
Councillors decided the public should be given their say on the proposals and agreed to a six-week consultation, costing £20,000, which is expected to be launched next month.
John Warder, leader of the council, said about the district: "Over the last ten years we have built an average of 157 dwellings per year. The target of 145 dwellings per year should be well within reach."
He said not to have a plan in place would leave the council vulnerable at planning appeals. He added: "Without a core strategy, we would be in a very perilous position." He also said that all new homes will be subject to the normal planning application procedure.
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