Marsworth: Land behind Stepnells is earmarked on Local Plan for development

The Glebe land behind Stepnells, owned by Oxford Diocese, is on the new draft Local Plan.

Parish Council chairman Bob Kennedy has confirmed that part of the Glebe land has been earmarked for potential housing by Bucks Council. And while he doesn’t expect the whole of the Glebe land, stretching up the hill, to be developed, it’s likely that some of it will.

The Parish Council will be discussing the draft Local Plan at its next meeting on March 9th in the village hall.

Bob says: ‘It is a relief that the airfield (at Lower End) was deemed unsuitable on the draft Local Plan, but my guess is they will try to link it to the Cheddington expansion, with a road out northwards in due course.’

Bob adds that it is surprising that none of the land that forms part of the estate of a late prominent resident at Lower End was submitted in the call for sites, although he says its value remains higher than if it had been deemed unsuitable in the Local Plan.

Residents are invited to provide feedback on the draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire through the Your Voice Bucks platform, before March 16.

You can comment on the proposed Marsworth site at: https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/planning/2aa4b313/?

There is also a link on www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/sites-survey where there is a link to an interactive map showing sites.

The site reference number to use is 760 and the address is Land off Lower Icknield Way, Marsworth, Tring HP23 4LW.

The housing target for Bucks is 43 per cent higher than under the previous Government. But this target does not come with any extra Government funding for infrastructure, says the council.

MP Greg Smith has called the new target ‘absurd and ridiculous.’

Of the 1,400 sites identified across Bucks, 400 are being assessed and the land behind Stepnells is one of these.

People in Aston Clinton are also very concerned about a large site proposed there.

MURMURATIONS: While starling murmurations seem pretty much gone from the reservoirs following tree work, small ones have been seen recently over the canal at New Mill, snd sometimes towards College Lake.

YOUNG FARMERS: Berkhamsted Young Farmers Club has reopened for juniors, aged 10 to 16. The next meeting is at Hastoe Village Hall on Thursday, March 5th, from 7pm to 9pm. Whatsapp 07766 914108 to book your place.

LIDL: A power chair user has posted online that she found the new Lidl in Tring very user friendly, with easy access and spacious aisles, as well as friendly staff.

Another poster on Everything Tring reminded shoppers to bring a pound coin for a trolley, as the blue wheelie trolleys inside the store cannot be taken outside.

Meanwhile a new Aldi is proposed at Aston Clinton Road, Weston Turville.

TRAINS: Train services will not run from Tring to London Euston and Milton Keynes over the Easter break, particularly on April 7th and 8th. So do check services in advance before making plans.

SHAKESPEARE: After seven years, the Pendley Shakespeare Festival is returning to The Dembe Theatre, with A Midsummer Night’s Dream from August 12th to 16th.

MARSHCROFT: There is a long story on the Daily Mail website, dated February 16th, about the massive proposed Marshcroft development in Tring. You can read it at dailymail.co.uk. The development would bring 1,400 extra homes to our local market town. A decision from Dacorum Borough Council is expected in mid-March. Plus, there is another plan for 400 homes off Grove Road.

IDEAS FOR SOCIALS: The hall committee has posted a short questionnaire on Everything Marsworth. It’s a chance to help them plan events that the whole community want and can enjoy.

WHITE LION DWELLINGS: Site owner Nick Webb has put in an application for the erection of four semi-detached dwellings with associated car parking, garden space, waste provision and cycle storage, on the site of the former White Lion.

The application was validated on January 26th and the standard consultation expired on February 1th. It appears the development would be known as White Lion Gardens. The ref no on the Bucks Planning Portal is PL/25/6009/FA.

Meanwhile the pub conversion looks near finishing and garden fencing has been erected at the back of the site. Recently Nick said he was expecting a planning decision on the conversion imminently. It was held up by the Kingswood SANG process.

RED LION REPAIRS: The Red Lion is finally due to receive listed building consent shortly from planners for internal and external repairs including roof and ceiling repairs, commercial kitchen repairs and replacement internal finishes and decorations, following last May’s serious fire, which started in a roof space.

A planning notice has gone up outside the pub, dated February 12th, 2026, with a 21-day period for comments. The reference is PL/25/5721/HB.

A charity quiz night recently raised £183 for Hector’s House. The next one is on Wednesday, March 11th. Please book early.

MARGARET’S MEMORIAL: Margaret Johnson, who was a stalwart of the village and All Saints Church for many years, passed away in January. Her memorial service will be held on Friday, March 27th at 1pm at All Saints Church, Marsworth, and then afterwards in the village hall.

GENTLEMAN’S RIDE: This will be on May 17th, starting as usual at the Red Lion, Marsworth. It is quite a spectacle, with hundreds of motorcycle riders dressed in dapper clothing setting off from the popular pub to raise money for men’s health charities.