Save St.Giles
Give me some Facts
What's It All About?Possible Development of New Housing and Offices in St Giles Members of the Chalfont st Giles Community appreciate and support the need for additional housing in this country but we are strongly in favour of organic, considered, sympathetic development that is integrated into our Historic Village.. Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan The consultancy process resulted in a 60 page document (page 40 of the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan shows St Giles Map) and resulted in the most precious and iconic landscape within the boundaries of our village being presented with a view to 'possible' development of houses or offices. Presenting that 'option', under any circumstance, even for the purposes of 'discussion' has generated significant mistrust and suspicion in the decision making process and those who influence it. Council Interest Most of the 'proposed for discussion' site in the centre of the village (Map published in the Local Plan Hatched HERE) has been in Chiltern District Council ownership since 2002 and CDC have significant interest in changing it from agricultural land to prime development land yet this was not declared in the Local Plan document. The significant information relating to ownership was only brought to the attention of Parish Councillors and the village by a local resident in a recent Parish Council meeting. After initially challenging the validity of the claim in the Parish meeting Councillors checked with CDC and accepted that the land at 'Upper Stone Meadow' did in fact belonged to CDC. Asking a village to contribute towards ideas for expansion and growth is much appreciated and in keeping with the Local Plan. When Chiltern District Council select an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is one of the very few parcels of land owned in the village by them, it felt like a less than perfect start. 'Stratton Chase Woods' 'Upper Stone Meadow' 'Lower Stone Meadow' 'Mill Lane' 'Upper Stone Meadow' is similar in size and character to 'Lower Stone Meadow' (more commonly known as Stone Meadow where the annual Show is held). It contributes significantly to the character and setting of our historic village and we are passionate about preserving our green space, not filling it in with houses and offices to create a village that looks like any other. The hatched area HERE in the Local Plan is defined by most of the land that runs between Pheasant Hill and Mill Lane and stretches from the Amersham Road, across the Misbourne valley and Chalk stream to Stratton Chase Woods where the footpath winds up the hill through an avenue of protected trees, better known as Conker Drive. All of the land within these boundaries including private land was highlighted for possible development in the Local Plan. Chiltern District Council own both Meadows and purchased them from Bucks CC in 2002. If financial gain is the only reason for selling an area of the village that has been protected for generations then we believe the village should be made aware. If Chiltern DC can present 'Upper Stone Meadow' to be discussed for any level of development, what is to stop them from presenting 'Stone Meadow' ( location of the annual show) in the future? If there is another single reason for offering 'for possible development' a plot of land sitting on an active flood plain, above a double bore High Speed Train Tunnel, in the green belt and AONB, in the heart of a historic village, then we would be very interested hear from anyone. At time of writing not one single resident, Councillor with from the Parish or County or expert we have spoken to can find a single reason why this area has been targeted other than for reasons related to its ownership. (please email us here at [email protected] if you have a good reason why Upper Stone Meadow should be developed for housing or offices and or commercial buildings. Think It Will Never Happen? Go to our FAQ page for some questions we have been repeatedly asked relating to flood plain, 500 new houses, AONB, Building on Greenbelt, Role of the Parish Council and you might be surprised by some of the answers. Also see HERE how well organised our neighbours at Chalfont St Peter are. |