High Wycombe

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the Plan's vision for Buckinghamshire in 2045. It describes a county that has kept its rural character, protected the Chilterns National Landscape and made the most of brownfield land (previously developed land). New communities are healthy, well designed and served by the right infrastructure, with housing for different groups including key workers. The economy has grown in creative industries, space and high-performance technology, town centres have been revitalised, and green spaces, biodiversity and sustainable travel have been strengthened.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out Objective 2, on climate change. It supports the move to a net zero carbon Buckinghamshire by 2050, directing growth to the most sustainable locations and designing development to cope with flooding and climate extremes. Transport causes 51% of the county's emissions. Areas at higher flood risk include parts of South Bucks, the Thames near Wycombe, east of Aylesbury and around Buckingham. Development is steered first to sites with the lowest flood risk.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out Objective 4, on quality of place. It aims to create welcoming, safe and accessible places, with high-quality design that reflects Buckinghamshire's character, neighbourhoods with local services, well-integrated parking and vibrant public spaces. Although the county is generally prosperous, it contains some of the most deprived wards in the country in Aylesbury and High Wycombe. Regeneration strategies for Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Chesham, and the Buckinghamshire Design Code, support this objective.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section covers planning for town centres. Aylesbury and High Wycombe are centres of regional importance, supported by smaller centres across the county. The Plan identifies a need for 59,000 sqm of floorspace for retail, food and drink, and leisure and cultural uses by 2035. The first focus is bringing vacant units back into use; cutting vacancy rates to 10% would provide 14,300 sqm. Longer term, most new floorspace will come through large mixed-use allocations linked to population growth.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out Objective 8, on transport and digital connectivity. It aims to improve connections across and beyond the county through new sustainable transport infrastructure, safe walking and cycling routes, better public transport and improved digital coverage. Modelling shows planned growth will significantly increase traffic, especially around Aylesbury and High Wycombe. East West Rail will improve links in the north, while HS2 passes through without stopping. Many rural residents rely on cars, so the location of development is critical.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets the strategy for economic growth. The Plan must allocate at least 219 hectares of employment land to 2045, and after committed sites are counted, about 147 hectares of additional land is allocated. Major locations include expansion at Westcott Venture Park and new employment land at the Winslow, Buckingham and Turweston new settlements, plus town centre sites in Aylesbury and High Wycombe. Research and development floorspace is strongly supported, and no new employment development is allowed in the highest flood risk zone (Flood Zone 3b).

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy supports town centre regeneration, particularly in Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe, by directing development to brownfield sites within town centres. Proposals on key sites must take a comprehensive, design-led approach that supports the Buckinghamshire Regeneration Framework, provides business space, delivers high-quality public realm and enhances heritage. Losing or reconfiguring public car parks requires evidence of parking demand and suitable alternatives. Proposals for main town centre uses outside defined centres must pass a sequential test, which checks town centre sites first.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy supports the regeneration of High Wycombe town centre as a major economic, cultural and transport hub. Development should strengthen the town's role as a competitive regional centre, deliver a diverse mix of uses, intensify underused or vacant sites, conserve heritage including the historic High Street, and prioritise walking, cycling and public transport, with better access to the railway station. Key opportunity areas include the Western and Eastern quarters, Cressex Industrial Estate and Cressex Island, and the Riverside and Rye Park corridor.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the purpose of the infrastructure policy: making sure new development is backed by coordinated, resilient transport, telecoms, utilities and waste facilities. It sets out how the policy will work in practice through the detailed rules in Chapter 7, which cover things like transport requirements, parking, public rights of way, water and telecoms infrastructure, plus wider policies on design, biodiversity, flooding and drainage.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the settlement tier system used to group site allocations. The Settlement Review places every settlement in Buckinghamshire into tiers based on local services, public transport, jobs and distance to the nearest town, to judge how much growth is sustainable. Tier 1 covers the major urban areas: Aylesbury, High Wycombe and land on the edge of Milton Keynes, while Tier 5 covers medium and small villages and Tier 6 hamlets, where nothing is allocated. Sites of 200 or more homes get their own policy; smaller allocations sit in appendix K.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers Gomm Valley and Ashwells in High Wycombe for an assumed 646 homes, 1.2 hectares of employment land and a one-form entry primary school. Development must be landscape-led and keep an undeveloped gap of at least 200 metres between High Wycombe and Tylers Green. The valley contains sensitive wildlife sites, including Gomm Valley SSSI, ancient woodland and chalk grassland, so buffers and a significant biodiversity net gain are required. A traffic-calmed spine road linking Cock Lane and Gomm Road is needed, and parts of the site already have planning permission.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers Terriers Farm, a 24-hectare site on the northern edge of High Wycombe, for an assumed 410 homes, which already have planning permission subject to legal agreements. The site must include a sport and recreation hub extending Hazlemere Recreation Ground, helping keep the development physically separate from Hazlemere. Development should retain the main north-south hedgerow, field boundaries, the pond and a wildlife corridor towards King's Wood, and contribute financially to the new primary school planned at Gomm Valley. Road, junction, bus stop and footpath improvements are also required.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation sets out plans for an assumed 375 homes and up to 7,000 square metres of employment space at Sword House and 11 Duke Street in High Wycombe town centre. The 0.86 hectare site includes the Totteridge Road car park and sits a few minutes from the railway station. Sword House would be kept for employment use, mature boundary trees retained, and any lost public parking spaces replaced unless shown to be no longer needed. Better walking and cycling routes to the station are also required.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports redeveloping the Easton Street multi-storey car park in High Wycombe for an assumed 160 homes with around 660 square metres of shops or other commercial uses at ground level. The 0.33 hectare site is next to the railway station, so a high-density scheme with fewer parking spaces is expected. The existing parking has been shown to be surplus and does not need replacing. Flood risk is a major constraint, so bedrooms and living spaces should be on the first floor or above.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers the Council Offices site on Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, for a mixed development of 500 square metres of offices, retail and healthcare plus an assumed 150 homes for NHS key workers. The 1.04 hectare site is in NHS ownership beside the River Wye. Because of high flood risk, housing is not allowed in the most flood-prone areas, and developers must produce detailed flood modelling approved by the Environment Agency before applying.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation proposes an assumed 270 homes and around 1,125 square metres of town centre retail on the former Office Outlet site in High Wycombe. The 0.45 hectare brownfield site is close to the railway station, so a high-density, landmark scheme with fewer car parking spaces is expected. Housing must avoid the highest flood risk zones, and developers must carry out detailed surface water modelling and follow the Council's flood risk guidance for the site.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports an assumed 100 homes at Abbey Barn North, High Wycombe, designed to fit the site's bowl-shaped, sloping landscape. Conventional houses with gardens are not considered appropriate; innovative homes set within the landscape are required instead. The plans require a buffer of at least 15 metres to Deangarden Wood, retention of chalk grassland, new footpaths, cycle and bridleway links, and contributions to road, bus and path improvements. A development brief has already been prepared for the site.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation sets out a mixed redevelopment of the Chilterns Shopping Centre at Frogmoor, High Wycombe, with an assumed 300 homes above flexible shops and commercial space at ground level. Flooding is the main constraint: 91% of the 1.06 hectare site is in the highest risk flood zone, so off-site flood storage would be needed and no building is allowed in those areas. The site is in a conservation area, and Grade II listed buildings must be kept and enhanced.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports employment development in the High Wycombe Central Business Centre, at the heart of the town centre near the railway station. It seeks approximately 0.4 hectares of high-quality business floorspace, including offices and research and development, with around 1 hectare of new business space identified as a wider regeneration opportunity. Small-scale community and town centre uses are also supported where they add jobs and footfall without reducing the employment space delivered.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the economy policies, which support delivery of the Local Plan's gross target of 219 hectares of new employment land, based on the Lichfields Employment and Retail Study 2025. Delivery will come through existing commitments, new allocations, intensification of existing sites and protecting employment land from loss. Employment uses cover offices, research and development, industry and storage under Use Classes E(g), B2 and B8. The policies support the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan 2025 and note that permitted development rights converting offices to homes may reduce employment floorspace.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy defines the retail hierarchy for Buckinghamshire's town centres. Aylesbury and High Wycombe are sub-regional town centres and the main focus for retail development. Below them sit seven town centres, including Buckingham, Chesham and Marlow; seven district centres, including Wendover and Winslow; and eleven local centres, including Bourne End and Haddenham. Forecasts identify a need for up to 140,442 square metres of retail, food, beverage and leisure floorspace by 2045, though the Council is likely to plan to meet needs to 2035 and then review the position.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy safeguards the former Bourne End to High Wycombe railway line, closed in 1970, as a future walking, wheeling and cycling route. Development must not prejudice a 5 metre wide corridor along the old track bed between Bourne End and High Wycombe town centre. Major sites of 10 or more homes (or employment equivalent) within 800 metres must contribute to building the route or provide links to it. The council no longer expects the line to reopen for public transport but considers it a direct, largely flat and traffic-free active travel route.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy supports new sport and recreation facilities that are accessible by walking, cycling, wheeling and public transport, provided they avoid unacceptable impacts on amenity, roads, wildlife, heritage and flooding. Housing developments of more than 10 units, or over 1,000 square metres of floorspace, must meet the sports and recreation standards in Appendix P, normally through on-site provision. Existing facilities can only be lost if they are shown to be surplus, replaced with equivalent or better provision, or the change delivers clear open space benefits. Long-term management arrangements must be agreed.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy directs development to areas at the lowest risk of flooding from all sources, taking account of climate change. Inappropriate development in high or medium flood risk areas will not be supported, and the functional floodplain is safeguarded for storing flood water. Site-specific Flood Risk Assessments are required for development in at-risk areas and all sites over 1 hectare, and sites of 50 or more dwellings need a strategic drainage strategy. Building over existing culverts is not allowed, and all developments in Chesham and High Wycombe need a surface water drainage strategy.