A housing developer is launching an appeal against Buckinghamshire Council for ‘failing to decide’ on an application to build a new care home on a historic estate in Beaconsfield.

Back in 2019, plans were approved to build 350 affordable open market homes at Wilton Park, which was once used by the monks of Burnham Abbey and later the Ministry of Defence.

Beechcroft, a developer founded in 1984 and based in Oxfordshire, laid out plans to demolish existing buildings and construct 95 assisted living units and a 75-bed care home on the historic estate in spring 2023.

While part of the site has already been developed by Bewley Homes, Beechcroft has come under criticism from local groups for its plans for the remaining area, Green Belt land it acquired ownership of in April. 

In a letter published on the planning portal last July, a spokesperson for The Beaconsfield Society said approving the plans would “set a dangerous precedent that would facilitate more developments on (local) Green Belt land”.

The proposal to build the new care home facility and assisted living units also drew objections because of its proximity to the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its failure to provide football pitches onsite as stipulated in the 2019 planning permission.

READ MORE: Crews take over road in Bucks town for Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren film

However, Beechcroft’s managing director Chris Thompson said this year he was committed to “securing the long-term future of Beaconsfield Town Football Club”, suggesting that new pitches and a clubhouse would be created on Glory Hill Lane, next to the parkland.

Adding: “This is a move that is supported by club members and parents of children who use it.”

After a number of consultations and amendments to the plans submitted to Buckinghamshire Council’s planning portal throughout 2023, decisive action has yet to be taken by the local authority to approve or reject the new facility.

It has prompted the developer to publish a notice of intent to lodge an appeal against the council, citing a “failure to decide” on the application.

It is unclear exactly what has caused the delay in deciding on the plans, with recent studies showing that it would not substantially impact the site’s biodiversity and a highways management officer stating no objection to the project last September, subject to several conditions.

Beechcroft’s travel plan for the new development was determined by the council in December to require “a few amendments” before approval, however, which could be the source of the hold-up.