Bucks Council 'disappointed' with supermarket proposal after 'housing-led' sale
A council planning boss has defended a decision to refuse planning permission for a Lidl in Amersham, saying the site is better suited to housing.
Buckinghamshire Council refused plans for the town’s first Lidl on the former council office site of King George V House this month. Now Peter Strachan, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, has said the authority “remains of the view that housing represents the most appropriate form of development” for the site.
He said: “Buckinghamshire Council has refused planning permission for a supermarket on the former King George V site in Amersham. The site was sold by the council in 2025, in line with its legal duty to achieve best value when disposing of a council asset.
“During the disposal process, the council made clear its aspiration for the site to be brought forward for housing, given its town‑centre location and the need to support local housing supply.
“At the point of sale, the purchaser stated a clear intention to pursue a housing‑led scheme, including new affordable homes. The council is therefore disappointed that the site was subsequently sold on and an alternative proposal brought forward.
“However, the planning application has been assessed on its own merits and was refused because it was considered unacceptable and contrary to local planning policy, particularly in relation to the appropriate use of this site.
“The council remains of the view that housing represents the most appropriate form of development for this location and continues to see the site as an opportunity to deliver much‑needed homes for the local community, in line with adopted planning policy.”