Description of the Planning Application

Wimpey put in a planning application (Dated 30 July 2001) This covers areas A B and C of the map.

  1. Site A (1 acre). This is on a steep slope with sporadic streams or springs near the Armour Hill boundary. Within the last decade the land has been well cultivated and water-cress was grown. Pigs were kept in the now derelict buildings. Until very recently some of this land was let and used for garden crops and poultry. It is bounded on one side by woodland owned and used as an educational and play area by the Scout Group.

    The planning application has 7 4 bedroom houses in this area. They appear to be accessed via a small close through the existing allotment car park. 5 parking spaces are set aside for allotment holders. Each of the houses has a double garage with 2 parking spaces in front of the garage.
  2. Site B (1.5 acres) contains some derelict buildings at its northern corner, but most of it has been well cultivated until recently. There are 14 marked out plots with potential for three more. There is one building currently let to a non-conforming user. The edge of this site, which has a common boundary with Site C, appears in the Planning for the Future document to be at the brow of Kentwood Hill. All the southern half of this area cornmands fine views over the Thames Valley to the Chilterns. Any building here would jeopardise the sky-line.

    At the bottom of this area the application has 3 1 bedroom flats and 6 2 bedroom flats. The remainder of site B and most of site C has 45 houses, some 2 bedroom and some 3 bedroom.
  3. Site C (2 acres) is relatively level land. It is divided into about 12 plots. There are two compounds containing non-conforming users. This site shares boundaries with Kentwood Hill and the Recreation Ground. This is the highest point with the most open aspect and any development on this land, even if only single storey buildings, would spoil important long views across to the Chilterns. One of the compounds has undergone 'salami' development over the last two years.

    The major portion of site C (The entire length of the side adjoining Kentwood hill) has been covered with houses as mentioned above

    Part of site C (The corner between the alloments and the Recreation ground) is set aside as a play area. A small carpark (16 spaces) is provided for the recreation ground. This is the 'planning gain' which is used to justify the development.
  4. Woodland (2.5 acres) called the Withies. This area is made up of rough woodland with undergrowth, a steep wooded valley and a stream. There are many fox-holes and possibly disused badger holes here.

    A foot path connecting Armour hill with the recreation ground has been proposed to run through the Withies.
  5. Remaining allotments (4.5 acres). Most of the 75 or so allotments on the remaining site are well cultivated. All are currently let.

    The planning application does not propose any change to the allotments (apart from removing the car park)

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