Plans for 65 homes by Aylesbury Vale village published after sewage concerns

In this week’s Bucks Herald newspaper a new notice was released linked to plans to build 65 homes on land by Padbury.

An official proposal was submitted to Bucks Council in February but a new notice and planning statement has been released Land and Partners Ltd.

If successful, new properties would be built south of Springfields Winslow Road. However, Padbury Parish Council objected to the plans and two councillors called in the application for further scrutiny in May.

Cllr Jilly Jordan raised objections with the plan believing the new neighbourhood would be “isolated” and therefore planners may look to build further homes in the area. Cllr Jordan also estimated that the 65 home project could increase the village’s population by 17%.

Cllr John Chilver said building on “open countryside” would “significantly harm” the character of Padbury.

"It is known that the Padbury Sewage Treatment works regularly exceeds its operating capacity and is required to discharge untreated sewage and foul water into the Padbury Brook with potentially serious environmental and public health consequences,” Padbury Parish Council said in objection.

“Adding any significant development will only exacerbate this problem. Residents in Padbury are already disrupted by the inadequate nature of the sewage works. There are instances of foul flooding in low points of the village such as Lower Way which includes raw sewage and toilet paper which has risen from the sewers to the street.”

As well as 65 dwellings the developer is seeking to build a new play area, a local shop, a community building, and a mobile transport hub. Planners say its statement has been updated to adhere to changes in local and Government planning policies.

A new masterplan and extra flooding, and transport assessments have now been added to the October statement, in an attempt to quell some local issues.

It is argued in the planning statement that the construction project would address Buckinghamshire’s need for housing. The statement also references a 79-home development that was refused by the village.

According to the statement, an inspector’s conclusion showed that Padbury is not an “unsustainable location for development” and that with improvements it could become an area which promotes “sustainable transport”.

Of the 65 dwellings, 25% would meet the Government’s affordable criteria. Howard Sharp and Partners also say that the project would improve the pedestrian environment on the A413. Homes would be a variety of sizes and the proposals include plans to build ‘family’ properties.

The company, which produced the statement on behalf of the construction company, also says the project could be completed in “reasonable time” and first homes could be ready by 2028.

An updated flood risk assessment and drainage strategy has also been produced. Adjustments in the masterplan have also been made to make the neighbourhood’s boundaries clearer.

"These measures ensure that the development will retain and protect the Site’s existing trees, hedgerows and wider green infrastructure framework, and they provide sufficient detail for the purposes of this outline application,” the statement claims.