Classification: OFFICIAL PORep2752 (REDACTED) The Consultation document and supporting evidence base are available on the Councils’ websites: www.chiltern.gov.uk/planning/localplan2014-2036 and www.southbucks.gov.uk/planning/localplan2014-2036 PART A – YOUR DETAILS

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**First Name Stewart

**Last Name Pomeroy

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Page 1 of 6 Classification: OFFICIAL PORep2752 (REDACTED) PART B – RESPONSE

Green Belt Options – Please Provide your Comments The Councils have concluded that land within the Green Belt will need to be released in order to contribute to meeting development needs to 2036. This is despite maximising opportunities on ‘brownfield land’ or sites within the built areas and on previously developed land in the Green Belt.

The Councils have identified 15 preferred options for development in the Green Belt after taking account of views expressed in a consultation earlier this year and testing a full range of options. All of these preferred options if suitable for development will be needed to contribute to our development needs. They are ‘preferred’ options at this stage as work is on-going to test their suitability.

Further testing following this consultation will establish what infrastructure (e.g. highway improvements, schools, medical facilities etc.) will be needed to support the options moving forward taking into account current pressures and circumstances.

We are consulting on these 15 preferred options to: a) Seek views to help determine their suitability for development; b) Help understand views on what type of development should be sought if suitable and what type of requirements (other than infrastructure) should be secured as part of development; c) Enable comments on the draft technical work supporting the selection of the preferred options; and d) Provide the opportunity for alternative options to be put forward.

Evidence and background documents are available here: www.chiltern.gov.uk/planning/localplan2014- 2036/evidence and www.southbucks.gov.uk/planning/localplan2014-2036/evidence.

When commenting please clearly indicate which preferred option(s) you are commenting on.

Please do not provide any personal information you do not want to be made publically available as these comments may be published at a later date.

The Colne Valley Regional Park currently plays (and will increasingly play in future) a regionally important role in providing green infrastructure to millions of people in and nearby major towns including , and Staines. A special case should be made in the Colne Valley Regional Park not to have any areas removed from the Green Belt. Local communities of and Denham are already taking more than their 'fair share' of large scale infrastructure proposals which will have a significant impact on local communities and local infrastructure (including Green Infrastructure). We believe the cumulative impacts of the following means that a special case should be made for the Colne Valley Regional Park: 1) existing infrastructure inc houses, motorways/major A-roads & business parks 2) national large scale infrastructure proposals( including HS2, Heathrow airport expansion, , gravel extraction, western rail link to Heathrow and M4 smart motorway), 3) as yet unknown and un-quantified additional developments connected to the above - eg relocation of businesses, hotels & car parks etc displaced by Heathrow expansion, along with work compounds of varying lengths of temporary status. 4) as yet unknown and unquantified impacts of potential development within to meet Slough’s housing needs 5) housing and other developments in any areas removed from the Green Belt as identified in this current consultation This nationally unique combination of threats causes an unnecessarily large and disproportionate impact on local communities, local landscapes and local wildlife puts the future of the Regional Park Page 2 of 6 Classification: OFFICIAL PORep2752 (REDACTED) at risk and justifies a unique approach to be taken within the Chiltern and South Bucks joint local plan.

If this call for a unique approach is to be rejected then a specific policy to protect and enhance a 'core' area of the Regional Park focussed on the rivers and their immediate environs should be included in the local plan. This policy should refer to positive enhancements in line with the objectives of the Colne Valley Park for the benefit of local people (current residents and new occupants of new houses), visitors from across the region and local wildlife. The implementation of this will be funded with contributions from housing, employment and national strategic infrastructure projects within, and adjacent to, the Regional Park. The 'core' area should stretch along the River Colne and its tributaries and distributaries ensuring a green link from the Old Shire Lane and ancient woodlands in the north through Bucks Golf Club, Denham Country Park, Iver Environment Centre, Huntsmoor Park, Thorney Golf Club to Thorney Park and the Colne Valley Trail adjacent to the M4 in the south. This area should include a mix of footpaths, circular walks, publicly accessible green space, countryside recreation facilities (water sports, golf etc) wildlife habitat & nature reserves and productive farmland & woodland (that need not be publicly accessible but can serve a function for the landscape and countryside setting).

Specific comments on individual areas within, or immediately adjacent to, the Colne Valley Regional Park area as follows: Increased population from developments will put pressure on existing visitor facilities, footpaths, country parks and nature reserves within the Colne Valley Regional Park. Therefore any developments within, and adjacent to, the Colne Valley Regional Park must make a financial contribution towards the Green Infrastructure within the Regional Park. Some specific examples local to each site are listed below.

Option 7: National Epilepsy Centre If permitted, the development must include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) Funding from development should contribute towards implementation of the objectives of the Colne Valley Park for the benefit of new residents of the areas and existing residents of Chalfont St Peter. This could include: 1) the upgrade, improvement and promotion of the Horn Hill circular walk which is adjacent to the area boundary. 2) enhancements to major countryside attractions a short drive away such as Chiltern Open Air Museum, Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Denham Country Park and the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre.

Option 8: South East of Chalfont St Peter If permitted, the development must include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) Funding from development should contribute towards implementation of the objectives of the Colne Valley Park for the benefit of new residents of the areas and existing residents of Chalfont St Peter. This could include: 1) the upgrade, improvement and promotion of the Chalfont Park circular walk which runs through the area boundary. 2) enhancements to major countryside attractions a short drive away such as Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Denham Country Park and the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre.

Option 10: North of Denham Page 3 of 6 Classification: OFFICIAL PORep2752 (REDACTED) The Colne Valley Park CIC objects to development here because of a) the further erosion of countryside character and open space setting at one of the key road access points into the Colne Valley Regional Park. b) it is part of the Colne Valley Biodiversity Opportunity Area If permitted, the development must include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) Funding from development should contribute towards implementation of the objectives of the Colne Valley Park for the benefit of workers in the commercial units and existing residents of Denham. This could include: 1) enhancements to paths, landscaping and biodiversity within Denham Country Park and paths around the lakes at the Lea 2) information, interpretation, visitor facilities and public events at the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre 3) the upgrade, improvement and promotion of the Denham circular walk which runs nearby. 4) footpath links to be provided through the site from adjacent residential areas and Denham roundabout to Denham Country Park and the network of public rights of way within the Colne Valley Regional Park.

Option 11: North of Iver Heath, South east of Pinewood The Colne Valley Park CIC objects to development here because of the loss of a currently well used recreation resource and green space for residents of Iver Heath, impact on woodland (possibly ancient woodland) and the loss of the mosaic of wildlife habitats including short grass, isolated trees, tall scrub and established woodland. If permitted, the development must include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and ensure a significant buffer of at least 20m either side of the watercourse. Funding from development should contribute towards implementation of the objectives of the Colne Valley Park for the benefit of new residents of the areas and existing residents of Iver Heath. This could include: 1) enhancements to paths, landscaping and biodiversity and existing sites within walking distance (eg Hardings Row Nature Reserve) or creation of new accessible green space within walking distance. 2) enhancements to major countryside attractions a short drive away such as Denham, Black and Langley country parks and the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre.. 3) new footpath link to be provided through the site to connect existing footpaths IV2 and IV3 to IV32 including a safe crossing point of the A412. 4) improvements the watercourse (within, and upstream& downstream of the site) and the buffer zone in line with the objectives of the Colne Valley Park and the Colne Catchment Action Network (ColneCAN) 5) Woodland areas and the grassland/scrub areas of highest wildlife value to be retained with resources allocated for their enhancement and future management & maintenance. If the woodland in the south of the site is found to be ancient woodland a buffer should be located around this in line with Natural and Woodland Trust guidance.

Option 12: West of Iver Heath The southern part of this area between Church Road and Slough Road has been subject to a proposal to create a community open space, the creation of this and ongoing management of which is to be funded through a dementia care centre along Slough Road. Community consultation has shown strong support for this proposal known as 'Gams Field'. If permitted, the development must include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and ensure a significant buffer of at least 20m either side of the watercourses.

Page 4 of 6 Classification: OFFICIAL PORep2752 (REDACTED) Funding from development should contribute towards implementation of the objectives of the Colne Valley Park for the benefit of new residents of the areas and existing residents of Iver Heath. This could include: 1) enhancements to paths, landscaping and biodiversity of Hardings Row Nature Reserve including extension of the reserve up to the Slough Road and provision of a northern entrance and a safe crossing of the A4007 2) enhancements to major countryside attractions a short drive away such as Denham, Black and Langley country parks and the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre. 3) new footpath link to be provided through the site to connect existing footpath IV4 to the permissive path south of that connects to . 4) improvements the watercourses (within, and upstream& downstream of the site) and the buffer zone in line with the objectives of the Colne Valley Park and the Colne Catchment Action Network (ColneCAN) 5) Woodland areas and the grassland/scrub areas of highest wildlife value to be retained with resources allocated for their enhancement and future management & maintenance. 6) The proposed open space of 'Gams Field' must be incorporated into the local plan as it can provide part of an important link between Iver Heath fields and Hardings Row Community Nature Reserve as part of a network of accessible green space within Iver Heath.

Option 13: North of Iver Station The Colne Valley Park CIC objects to development here because of a) the further erosion of countryside character and open space setting between Richings Park and Iver /Ridgeway Industrial area b) it is a Biological Notification Site and development here will lose the opportunity to develop and enhance this site as part of the Network of wildlife sites within the Colne Valley Regional Park. If permitted, the development must include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) Funding from development should contribute towards implementation of the objectives of the Colne Valley Park for the benefit of new residents of the areas and existing residents of Iver and Richings Park This could include: 1) enhancements to paths, landscaping and biodiversity and existing sites within walking distance (eg Thorney Park and the of the ) or creation of new accessible green space within walking distance. 2) enhancements to major countryside attractions a short drive away such as Denham Country Park, Little Britain Lake and the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre.. 3) new footpath link to be provided through the site to connect existing footpaths IV15 and IV17 to Iver station via an off-road route. 4) contribution towards the costs of replacing the bridge and footpath link over the Slough Arm at IV16 immediately to the west of the site. 5) improvements the Slough Arm in line with the objectives of the Colne Valley Park, the Canal & Rivers Trust and the Colne Catchment Action Network (ColneCAN) 6) the upgrade, improvement and promotion of the Iver circular walk which runs nearby. 7) Woodland areas and the grassland/scrub areas of highest wildlife value to be retained with resources allocated for their enhancement and future management & maintenance. This should include significant areas on the northern and western edge of the site to retain the countryside setting for users of the Slough Arm and Thorney Lane.

Option14: East of Ridgeway Business Park. If permitted, the development must include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

Page 5 of 6 Classification: OFFICIAL PORep2752 (REDACTED) Funding from development should contribute towards implementation of the objectives of the Colne Valley Park for the benefit of new residents of the areas and existing residents of Iver. This could include: 1) enhancements to paths, landscaping and biodiversity and existing sites within walking distance (eg Thorney Park and the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal) or creation of new accessible green space within walking distance. 2) enhancements to major countryside attractions a short drive away such as Denham Country Park, Little Britain Lake and the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre. 3) contribution towards the costs of replacing the bridge and footpath link over the Slough Arm at IV16 immediately to the west of the site. 4) the upgrade, improvement and promotion of the Iver circular walk which runs nearby. 5) Woodland areas and the grassland/scrub areas of highest wildlife value to be retained with resources allocated for their enhancement and future management & maintenance. This should include significant areas on the eastern and southern edge of the site to retain the countryside setting for users of Thorney Lane and the Slough Arm. .

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