The Society

Volume 144 Winter 2015 Established 1957 Council’s emerging local plan An increasing number of towns and villages have adopted a Neighbourhood Plan and despite the seeming confl ict between the Government’s encouragement of Localism and their own Planning Inspectorate frequently ignoring local views, such a Plan is probably one of the better ways of protecting and enhancing an area. Understandably, because of the huge costs now involved, Chesham Town Council has decided not to follow the Neighbourhood Plan route.

As you are no doubt aware the Chiltern District Council is The next proposed currently going through the stages of preparing a new Local Consultation Period is Plan and this gives Chesham Town Council and the Chesham relatively short so in Society an opportunity to incorporate within the Plan many order to be in a better position of the features and benefits that would have flowed from a to respond we have embarked on an exercise to Neighbourhood Plan. better demonstrate some of our Visions with a virtual model of how the Town of Chesham might be developed. In March 2015 we submitted our “Response to the Local Plan Initial Consultation” to Chiltern District Council containing In order that as many people as possible can be involved our eight Visions for Chesham and these have been featured in with our proposals, Chesham Town Council and the previous editions of Focus. Chesham Society will be holding a Public Meeting in mid February 2016 at which the The timetable for progressing the model will be available and the Plan has now been delayed. The Issues CDC Consultation Document and Options public consultation will and our response can be now run from mid-January to early discussed. March 2016 with the second stage of consultation in October/December Meanwhile CDC consultants are looking at preferred options and preparing a number of evidence submitting objections. In March 2017 there will be the Final Consultation Continued on page 8 on the proposed plan. Photograph courtesy of Terry Cherrill Terry courtesyPhotograph of

Putting Cheshamwww.cheshamsociety.org.uk first www.facebook.com/cheshamsociety @cheshamsociety The Chesham Society WINTER 2015 Chairman’s report It appears winter has arrived today as I write this report on Friday, November 13 and the fi rst autumn storm hits the British Isles. For once I was right when I mowed the lawn yesterday, changed the engine oil and stored the mower for the winter.

No such respite will be seen for the Early indications are that the plan will be driven by house Chesham Society with our two major numbers with an extra 7,300 houses required by 2036, ongoing campaigns - there are longer so that will indicate well over 1,000 for Chesham. There than normal detailed reports in this is no mention so far of improvements to infrastructure, issue, the first from Jim Conboy on HS2 and the second nor how to ensure no detrimental effect on business or from Roger Smith on the new Chiltern District Local Plan. encroachment on the greenbelt. It will be interesting to see I strongly recommend reading these as your committee Chiltern District Council’s issues and options for this next believe both will have a profound effect on Chesham, albeit stage of the consultation. in very different ways, and that our society must be “putting The Chesham Society, in conjunction with Chesham Town Chesham first.” The committee is seeking feedback from Council, is planning a second public meeting and workshop our members to indicate whether you believe we are on in mid-February to get your input into the Consultation. the right path – the AGM on January 26 will be a suitable We are progressing our Visions for Chesham, which we time for discussion. presented in February 2015 and have commissioned a local Tony Franks and Jim Conboy (our town councillor architect to prepare a 3D model of a development proposal and Chesham Society member) both did a superb job for Star Yard which will be on display at the workshop. It is presenting our petitions to the HS2 Select Committee at hoped that this will invoke strong reactions for and against Westminster and of course another of our members, Ray and promote discussion. We will give you the meeting date Payne, has also been in the front line presenting the case soon so please keep this free to come and participate. for the long tunnel option. Seeing the Select Committee in My very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. I hope action was an interesting experience – their resilience over to see you at the Murder Mystery Dinner on December 10, such a long petitioning period was impressive! which promises to be a great evening’s entertainment and The next consultation phase of the Local Plan will not a successful fund raiser to support the Chesham Society’s commence until early January for a six week period. ambitious plans for 2016. Tony Molesworth Merry Christmas Editor’s letter Happy HELLONew and welcome Year to the Winter 2015 edition of Focus. Putting Ches I cannot believe I am writing my last Focus letter for 2015, On behalf of everyone here at the where on earth has this year gone? Chesham Society, thank you to all our members for continuing to Maybe it flew by because it has been quite the action packed support us this year. year for the Chesham Society, what with taking an active role in Chiltern District Council’s Emerging Local Plan (2014 – We hope to see you at the Murder 2036), campaigning against HS2 and commenting on a wide Mystery Dinner on December 10 so range of planning applications that will affect Chesham. we can thank you for your support personally while raising vital funds for the Society to ensure we can keep Putting Next year will be even busier for the Society, as work on Chesham First. Chiltern District Council’s Emerging Plan steps up a gear. However, we will also be busy organising our popular biennial May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Heritage Open Day, which will take place in September, so do New Year. keep an eye out for more details on that. Camilla Goodman

2 Putting Chesham first Focus Winter 2015

Petitions and Presentations Since the last issue of Focus, The Chesham Society and Chesham Town Council made a joint presentation of their petitions to the HS2 select committee. Our aim was to show how HS2 construction traffi c would have adverse impacts on business in Chesham, and on tourism in this part of the Chilterns. Several local companies helped us illustrate this point. We also indicated how congestion, on the A413 in particular, would cause disruption throughout the area, and displace some commuter traffi c through Chesham. Earlier presentations had shown that the traffi c predictions made by HS2 Ltd were inconsistent and unreliable.

The presentation was well received by the committee, who entirely from the southern end, at a considerable saving on complemented our lawyer (James Burton) on an exemplary previous plans, and with less disruption in the Wendover- presentation. At the end of the September sessions Stoke Mandeville area than would be caused by the present they declared themselves satisfied that there would be (HS2) scheme. traffic congestion problems, in particular on the A413; unfortunately, they did not say what should HS2 has been directed to be done about it. work with Transport for Bucks on a package of road improvements to fix Additional Provisions the problems currently As you may have read in the foreseen - we are concerned Autumn edition, the committee that this process will not requested HS2 Ltd to extend the be completed during the Chilterns (bored) tunnel as far as committee stage of the South Heath, instead of emerging bill. The extra road works in the middle of Mantles Wood. will increase the cost This required amendments to of the present scheme, the bill, which in turn entails so further reducing the a further round of petitioning. differential cost of a We anticipated that this would longer tunnel. be along the lines of “the tunnel The Chesham society & town council presentation will go as far as South Heath”, In response, the Society to the HS2 select committee we would respond “couldn’t you and Chesham Town manage to get to Leather Lane,” and that would be it. Council have now submitted new petitions, requesting that the committee reconsider the long tunnel options, and When the documents were published, we were surprised asking for consultations on any new transport proposals. heshatom find fi thatrst HS2 had included far more traffic information than in their previous publications, and that some of it looked almost believable. The queue on the B485 at the ... and beyond Missenden roundabout (morning peak) had increased to Apart from our local difficulties, HS2 is having trouble with 95 vehicles, from the previous prediction of two. All this the designs for a terminus at Euston. Its current proposals new information showed that the proposed scheme could would take two existing platforms out of service. It does not not be delivered, using the existing road network, and that have permission (from the Environment Agency) to tunnel major upgrades would be required – as we had been arguing under the River Misbourne, and there is no safety case for all along. the Chilterns twin-bore Tunnel. In December, the (United Nations) Aarhus convention committee begins hearings into the legality of the Hybrid Bill procedure. The Next Round... The changes to the predicted road capacity provided another The autumn review of HS2 has been postponed to spring – opportunity to petition for the extension of the Chilterns someone must be worried they might fail. Other than that Tunnel beyond Wendover. Meanwhile, a reappraisal by our – no problems? tunnelling experts showed that the tunnel could be bored By Jim Conboy

www.cheshamsociety.org.uk www.facebook.com/cheshamsociety @cheshamsociety 3 The Chesham Society Planning Watch Road/Hivings Hill Former Public Convenience site, Enterprise Centre Berkhampstead Road Another application for housing, this time from a local The appeal to permit the developer, Ridgepoint Homes, comprising 18 dwellings and redevelopment of this site with an two buildings containing a total of 12 “affordable” flats. architect designed house has been turned down. The application was Although there is concern expressed by local residents supported by the Society and we about pressure on street parking, the Chesham Society are now left with an ugly gap in the has supported this application because it addresses issues road frontage. raised in previous refusals and our Visions for Chesham support the development of redundant brownfield sites for residential use. Hodds Wood Road Solar House, Road We welcome the grant of consent to the proposal for a high quality furniture showroom in this building. It will be an improvement Following a withdrawn application for a greater density at one of the “gateways” an application has now been submitted for a single block to Chesham. The Society of four two storey dwellings on this site. The current supported this application and there may be opportunities proposal appears to overcome some of the objections to improve access to the River Chess. previously raised by the Chesham Society but still has little Lord’s Mill, architectural merit. Moor Road Chesham Preparatory School, Unfortunately the application to change this light industrial use to Two Dells Lane. The Society has been involved in consultations re proposed residential has been withdrawn. extensions at Chesham Prep to include a new swimming It would have been a welcome improvement at another one pool, dining hall and performance space, as well as additional of the “gateways” to Chesham which the Society supported. classrooms. The proposed buildings are of a similar scale There was a very negative report from the Environment to the existing, constructed with sympathetic materials and Agency relating to proximity of the River Chess which well landscaped. The Society looks forward to commenting appeared to be either ignorant of or ignoring the history of on the formal application. this site. This no doubt influenced the developer’s decision tting Ches to withdraw. Pu Little Farm, Pednor Top, The Wild Rover Public House, Pednor Amersham Road An application for a residential extension in the AONB. The Following a previous refusal, another application to applicant acknowledges that the original building has already rationalise what appears to be an ongoing use for car sales. been extended 100 percent and now seeks a further~ The Society is currently reviewing this application. 50 percent. We are also reviewing this application. By Roger Smith

4 Putting Chesham first Focus Winter 2015 Rougemont Redivivus The public’s memory is proverbially short, but your readers have not, I trow, had time to forget that arch humbug Louis de Rougemont. For the past two or three years one has heard nothing material about the gentleman who so neatly “spoofed” the British Association, and the British public, with his “most thrilling experiences mortal ever lived to narrate.” To hear of him again is almost like getting news from the De Rougemont was ready to Great Beyond. According to the latest tidings, De Rougemont go, and all arrangements for has been during the past week a factor of disturbance in the his deportation per Brougham usual placid harmony of the pretty little hamlet of Chesham to Berkhamstead station on in , whither he went some two months ago a given day had been made, after a prolonged rustication in rural Kent. Chesham was when the lady doctor and the curious as to the identity of the newcomer, but failed entirely hypnotic evictor had a quarrel. to connect the elderly, hatless, white-haired old gentleman The results were peculiar. On with those marine excursions per turtle, flying wombats, and the appointed the coachman other weird wonders of unknown Australia of which the who was to take Louis and “Wide World” told them in days gone by. He had an old lady his belongings from the villa with him, and after a time the villagers discovered that she at was missing, and when finally any rate was more or less a lunatic. They decided therefore discovered was sleeping so soundly, that De Rougemont, whom they learned to know as “Dr. that he was only awakened, after great efforts, just in time to Sousou,” was the keeper of a small asylum on a small scale. miss the last train. Louis therefore remained in the villa, and, Small it certainly was, consisting as it did of a little villa some urged thereto by the hypnotist, ‘tis alleged, started to make two miles from Chesham on the Berkhamstead-Road. Locally preparations for standing a siege. the place is known as Orchard Leigh or Wooden Babylon. Among the stock of war material he laid in were a stout Chesham had just got accustomed to Dr Rougemont’s broom-handle and a revolver. His preparations were made occasional appearances in the streets, when trouble began in the nick of time, for a few days later a skirmishing party at Wooden Babylon. There was wild talk of threats to from the enemy’s camp under the leadership of the lady shoot having been made by the newcomer, and constables doctor’s factor made a dashing attack on his defences and departed from Chesham on mysterious errands along the succeeded in breaching one of the villa walls. Through the Berkhamstead-road. aperture a plucky labourer tried to effect an entrance, It appears now that the bother arose through an attempt only, however, to be ignominiously expelled by the forcible to evict Louis from his new domicile. The villa it seems was application of the defender’s broom-stick. A second rush met lent rent free to Dr. Rougemont by a lady doctor who had with no better success, and above the din of strife was heard met Louis in connection with certain spiritualistic matters. Dr. Rougemont’s voice threatening to use his artillery if the De Rougemont, it seems, is, in the language of spiritualists, attack was persisted in. hesha“am magnetiser,”first and possessed of powers as a “healing Thereupon the attacking force drew off and retired upon suggestionist,” whatever that may be. its base. Its leader having consulted his commander-in-chief Suddenly, however, the lady doctor decided it would be decided to open up negotiations for the surrender of the fort. advisable to get rid of her non-paying tenant, and gave him Terms were eventually arranged which left all the honours orders to quit. He refused to do so, holding that there was with the defence. In consideration of more than double the a verbal understanding between the lady and himself which sum originally named, and the provision of another residence in the realms of the Higher Life should be as binding as any within a given distance, De Rougemont agreed to surrender written document. The lady then appealed to a friend, said to the Wooden Babylon fort. And Friday last he marched out at be famous for his hypnotic powers, to rid her of Louis. the head of his garrison (the old lady aforementioned), and was escorted with all due honours to his new residence at This third party, using it seems a judicious mixture of financial Ballinger, some four or five miles away. and hypnotic “suggestion,” appears to have been successful to a certain extent, with De Rougemont, who, descending Thank you to Auckland Star newspaper, Alexander Turnbull Library from the realms of the Higher Life aforementioned, agreed collection http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz, for allowing us to use for a certain sum of money to give up possession of the the article. By Keith Fletcher villa. But then “something went wrong with the works.”

www.cheshamsociety.org.uk www.facebook.com/cheshamsociety @cheshamsociety 5 The Chesham Society Special General Meeting Wednesday 18th November Cheryl’s Corner This was held just before the Member’s Meeting when Greg Over the summer, I Blesson, the Managing Director of Red Squirrel Brewery had a hip operation gave us a fascinating talk about the rapidly expanding micro- and some while ago my brewing industry, his company, its shop in Chesham and the opening of another shop in Amersham the next day! husband, Jack, had knee replacements, so between The SGM was to approve an additional clause to the us we have experienced Constitution so that we have a procedure for electing a our own mobility problems. It makes me very new President to the Society. appreciative of how difficult it can be for people The Constitution currently made no mention of the with disabilities. Even a relatively flat surface President. Those at the meeting unanimously approved the can present a problem, never mind steps. motion that: “A President or Vice Presidents may be elected Locally the campaign continues to try to make the at a General Meeting of the Society for such periods as may Underground step-free. In circumstances like these, be decided at the Meeting”. Jennifer Moss is standing down with budgetary restraints, it is important to keep up the at the AGM on 28 January after many years as our President. The Committee will select a candidate and suggestions pressure, because the need does not go away. I have from members will be welcomed. Please submit these to ongoing discussions with Transport for London on this the Chairman or Secretary, preferably before Christmas so issue. Although residents in Chesham don’t have a vote in the committee has time to consider and circulate members. the London Mayoral elections, our station is a part of the By Tony Molesworth transport system and so the new mayor, whoever it is, will be lobbied in due course as well. Something that affects people with disabilities is parking Chesham’s key players quizzed on pavements and so I am supporting a Private Member’s Bill to tackle the problem. People who are blind or have at ‘Question Time’ event impaired vision find it very hard to deal with obstacles People had the opportunity to grill Chesham’s like this. The Guide Dogs charity is campaigning for the key players on a variety of issues at a Question measure and recently gathered birthday messages for Time-style event. the Government minister involved, to remind him of its importance. The bill covers England and Wales, but because For the third year running, the Chesham Society organised the process of introducing legislation through a Private its popular Members’ Panel Meeting, which took place at Member’s Bill cannot be assured of success, it is one where Chesham Town Hall on Thursday, September 17. the campaigners may have to keep up the lobbying until The event was an opportunity for the society’s members change can be effected. and non-members to quiz its committee as well as a panel The RNIB, another charity which exists to help people with of invited guests who take an active role in the community. impaired vision, actually took my Parliamentary colleague This year’s panel was made-up of Chesham’s mayor sponsoring the Bill on a walk around a marketPutt placeing in his Ches Peter Hudson, leader of Bucks County Council Martin constituency, with a blindfold. Parked cars were not the Tett, chairman of Chiltern District Council Mimi Harker, only problem – there were display boards on the pavement chairman of Chesham Theatre Company Ian Slack, chairman and even bin bags put out for collection. of the Friends of Lowndes Park Michael Rowan, chairman of Churches Together for Chesham Hilary Wilson and the But it is not only people with disabilities who are affected. founder of Chesham Toy Bank and Pride of Bucks 2015 Mums with babies in buggies, or dads guiding toddlers, Community Champion, Claire Rooney. have to step out into the roadway if the pavement is blocked. In busy traffic, it is really dangerous. Even if the The event was chaired by the society’s chairman Tony law cannot be changed this time, maybe people can make Molesworth. The society’s programmes and events a New Year’s resolution to think about the dangers of manager Emily Culverhouse said: “It was our third of these obstructions on pavements. events and it was by the far the best one yet. I’m pretty certain we delivered our promise of a lively debate and it’s Very best wishes to all constituents for 2016. only a shame we didn’t have longer as I know there were By Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan, many questions still to be asked.” MP for Chesham and Amersham By Camilla Goodman

6 Putting Chesham first Focus Winter 2015

I’m afraid I’ve been a little dilatory in firming up the Dates for your diary! speakers for 2016. We will of course, as ever, have a full programme for you on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, at the Town Hall, from February 17th. You will be aware of course that our AGM is due to take place on 28th January 2016. You will see elsewhere in this document a summary of the SGM in which the format for electing a new President is set out. Do come to the Town Hall from 7.30pm to see who it will be (if anyone). I can also reveal that we will be repeating our popular Chess Valley Walk next year. Community radio station to hit the airwaves this winter CHILTERN is set to get its very own Vice-chairman of the Chesham Society Emily Culverhouse, community radio station this winter. Pop- who is involved with the radio station, said: “Our aim’s to be a genuine community station, run by the community up FM radio station Chiltern District Radio for the community! We’ll showcase everything that’s good station will hit the airwaves for two weeks about the Chilterns, and bring together various different only in February. aspects of our community.” The station has been licensed by Ofcom and will The steering group, combining radio expertise and local broadcast to Chesham, Amersham, and champions, are David Rees and Phill Cannon joined by surrounding areas from February 7, with pre-recorded Mark Rann and Emily Culverhouse assisted by Charlotte programmes, before going live during the half-term break Norris, David MacBean, Mimi Harker and others. from February 14. For more information or to find out how to get The station will serve as a community platform for charities involved call Emily Culverhouse on 07540 410 130 or and voluntary groups to get involved and promote themselves, email [email protected] or Mark Rann along with opportunities for students in the town. [email protected] Volunteer Chesham – a success story Cllr Peter Hudson, the Town Mayor, arranged this event Maurice Hammond, who moved with his partner in the Town Hall on Saturday 12 September, which the to Chesham seven years ago, has agreed to manage Chesham Society and large numbers of other local the membership database, a vital support role to the charities attended. The Town Hall was buzzing with activity committee and he has started work already. This need and our Society had a prime spot near the entrance. arose because Brian Pratt is standing down after many years of service. We were looking for a database manager, and people to assist membership and planning functions. Several positive There will be a profile of Maurice in the next issue of offers of assistance were forthcoming on the day with one Focus and more about Brian’s work for the Society. coming to fruition.

Date Room/venue Day Purpose Time hesham28th Januaryfirst TBA 7.30pm for 8pm 17th February 7.30pm for 8pm 16thSociety March subscriptions 7.30pm for 8pm 20th April 7.30pm for 8pm 18th May 7.30pm for 8pm 15th June 7.30pm for 8pm 21st September Question Time 7.30pm for 8pm 19th October 7.30pm for 8pm 16th November 7.30pm for 8pm Christmas Meeting Date and event tba

All meetings are in the Town Hall at 7.30 for Admission charges: members £1, guests £2; 8pm unless stated otherwise which includes tea/coffee and biscuits.

www.cheshamsociety.org.uk www.facebook.com/cheshamsociety @cheshamsociety 7 The Chesham Society

Continued from page 1 The fragility of these figures is demonstrated by a projected based background documents, including a Housing and affordable housing figure for Aylesbury being half that Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) suggested by different consultants in a report published and a Green Belt Assessment. The Green Belt information earlier this year. is not yet public. Surprisingly we are not aware of any There is no attempt at this stage to explore how the Infrastructure or Brownfield site studies. provision of these levels of new house building would meet The HEDNA is an extensive report prepared on behalf of the needs of the local community rather than being taken up Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern and Wycombe District Councils. by people being attracted into the area by cheaper housing The study has been jointly commissioned by the three or by “buy to let” investors as appears to be the current pattern. Nor is there any indication authorities to identify the future how affordable housing will be homes and jobs requirements funded, particularly if development is for each district and will form encouraged on brownfield sites and a key piece of evidence for other more challenging areas. the emerging Local Plans. It takes figures prepared by the Mention was also made of Department for Communities employment growth with statistics and Local Government and indicating that growth would be adjusts them to take account higher than historic evidence. of various demographic issues, However the lowest growth was household projections, suppressed needs etc. in Chiltern with a total of only two

Photograph courtesy of Terry Cherrill Terry courtesyPhotograph of hectares required. There is a perceived shortfall of 5,600 In Chiltern District, the consultants have concluded that workers and it is inferred that this is due to lack of housing 7,300 new dwellings are required in the Plan period of (cheap enough) rather than lack of skilled workers? which 1,100 should be affordable. You will realise that this The amount of information being made available about is a very substantial increase in figures from previous plans. housing strengthens our concern that the new Local Plan Although the method of research is supported by inspectors will be driven by new housing numbers. who have ratified Local Plans of other councils, the We expect the forthcoming consultation documentation numerous tables of statistics, assumptions and adjustments to be weighty! Any help you can give us during January/ do seem to be an attempt to cloak guesswork with the February 2016 to prepare a response will be appreciated respectability of science. and we look forward to hearing from you. By Roger Smith

The Chesham Society £1 when sold Putting Chesham first President: Jennifer Moss 01494 868667 Chairman: Tony Molesworth 07785 501499 E: [email protected] Vice Chairman: Emily Culverhouse 07540 410130 E: [email protected] Treasurer: Pat Hunt 01494 774808 E: [email protected] Secretary: John Graves 01494 793654 E: [email protected] Programme & Events Emily Culverhouse E: [email protected] Design & layout: Andy Roker Offi cer T: 01494 775489 E: [email protected] Focus Editor: Camilla Goodman 07796 124896 E: [email protected] Photography: Contributors Special Projects: (HS2) Jim Conboy 07730 230405 E: [email protected] Planning: Roger Smith 01494 772554 E: [email protected] Printed by: Ink Link, Ruth Juett 07942 895566 Unit 4, Waterside Business Park Database Manager Maurice Hammond Waterside, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1PE Members currently without portfolio: Mora Walker 07972 281783 T: 01494 791320 E: [email protected] Richard Brock 01494 259426 W: www.inklinkprinters.co.uk

8 8 Putting Cheshamwww.cheshamsociety.org.uk first www.facebook.com/cheshamsociety @cheshamsociety