NEARLY 100 residents have voiced their concerns to Wycombe District Council about plans to build 18 houses in Princes Risborough.

Proposals to develop the land behind houses 5-21, in Wycombe Road, have angered residents who all feel they have not been properly consulted.

According to John Pilkington, chairman of the Culverton Hill Residents Group, various discussions between the residents of Culverton Hill have resulted in a number of concerning issues, including privacy infringements.

He said: "The high density of houses in the new development would result in them being far too close to existing houses in Culverton Hill which would be overlooked causing significant loss of privacy. This is exasperated by the rising ground within the development."

Other fears vary from the destruction of wildlife to an over-stretching of existing town resources including schools and roads. Roger Ford, 63, of Wycombe Road, said more than 80 residents have written to the District Council objecting to the development on the grounds that it will make the A410 even busier and very dangerous.

He said: "Princes Risborough is already a traffic congested community. Residents will be more interested in methods of reducing driving speed and increasing road safety than increasing road usage with this contentious access to a major development on a dangerous bend."

Gary Hall, vice-chairman of Princes Risborough Town Council, said: "We are not happy with the development plans and are recommending that it doesn't go through."

A spokesperson for Wycombe District Council confirmed they had received a number of letters from residents highlighting their concerns and that these will be considered before a decision due before the end of May.

May 1, 2003 12:30