Lib Dems warn countryside at risk as few brownfield sites identified in Buckinghamshire Local Plan
Buckinghamshire Liberal Democrats say the emerging Local Plan published today could place significant pressure on countryside and Green Belt land after only a limited number of confirmed brownfield sites have been identified at the same time as major expansion around towns and villages is proposed.
Councillors warn this could lead to substantial impact on existing communities and planning applications coming forward on sites before they have been shown to be deliverable.
The council is working to a tight timetable after a formal intervention letter from Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP confirmed that failure to submit a plan by December 2026 could lead to Government intervention in the process.
Cllr Susan Morgan, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “We need homes that meet local need, particularly affordable housing, but they must be planned properly. At present only a small number of brownfield sites have been clearly identified, while large areas of countryside are being considered for development.”
“We want a deliverable plan that provides the homes Buckinghamshire actually needs, in locations communities can support and with infrastructure to sustain them.”
“Once land is identified as suitable it becomes much harder to refuse future applications, even if it has not yet been shown to be viable. Communities could see major change without certainty on roads, schools or GP provision.”
Councillors have highlighted several concerns within the draft proposals:
Pressure on countryside and Green Belt land: Limited confirmed brownfield capacity increases the likelihood of development moving onto surrounding countryside and risks settlements gradually merging.
Uncertain deliverability: Some identified sites have not yet been demonstrated as available or viable, which can strengthen future planning applications once suitability has been signalled.
Infrastructure questions: Only limited detail has been published on how roads, schools and health services would support this scale of growth.
Community influence: With key assessments ongoing and a tight timetable, communities may have limited opportunity to influence decisions before locations become established.
Cllr Jonathan Waters said: “Residents need clarity about where development is planned, but also about the infrastructure needed to support it without adding pressure to already stretched GP surgeries, schools and congested roads. Without supporting evidence, confidence in the plan will be difficult to achieve.”
Cllr Christine Adali, a councillor in Beaconsfield, added: “Towns like ours face considerable change but people are far more likely to support change when they can see the infrastructure and design alongside it. That requires clear information and genuine engagement from the outset, which has been lacking.”
Buckinghamshire Liberal Democrats are encouraging residents, town councils and parish councils to take part in the engagement now under way, highlighting local infrastructure needs, brownfield opportunities and areas where development would cause harm to their communities.
Councillors say detailed local responses carry real weight with planning inspectors and will play an important role in shaping the final Local Plan.
ENDS
Notes
Buckinghamshire Council Local Plan – information and evidence
Buckinghamshire Council: Local Plan intervention letter from Matthew Pennycook MP, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning:
“I am directing Buckinghamshire Council to publish on your website a revised Local Development Scheme by 11 March 2026 which includes the following specific milestones: Regulation 19 consultation to commence by no later than 23 July 2026; Submission of the plan for examination should be no later than 31 December 2026.”
Cabinet Meeting approving the draft local plan for public consultation, a plan to meet the requirement for 95,500 new homes in Bucks by 2045. https://buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=31380
