Plans for a new block of flats on West Wycombe Road have been lodged with Buckinghamshire Council.

Sheraton Dwelling Ltd wants permission to demolish the existing building on the site and replace it with a new three-storey development containing five flats.

The development would include three two-bedroom flats and two three-bedroom flats, along with parking, cycle and bin storage, landscaping works and changes to the existing vehicle access.

Planning documents state the submission follows pre-application advice received in September 2025, which discussed design changes to a previously refused scheme.

The applicant said the revised plans incorporate officers’ feedback along with various supplementary reports.

A previous application submitted in 2023, which sought permission to demolish the building and build a three-storey apartment block containing eight two-bedroom flats, was refused.

The scheme also included basement parking, bin and cycle storage, landscaping works including a rooftop garden, and new vehicle and pedestrian access from Desborough Park Road.

At the time, planning officers said the scheme would appear as an ‘incongruous form of development’.

“Which fails to respect the scale, traditional appearance and spacious character of the surrounding area,” it said.

“Thereby having a significant detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the area, and eroding the sense of place.

“In this instance the visual impact would be exacerbated by its prominent location being in an elevated position and a corner plot fronting two main roads.”

Planning officers also raised concerns over the scale and design of the scheme, its impact on neighbouring properties and future residents, flooding and drainage issues, and a lack of ecological information including surveys relating to bats and biodiversity.

The site is currently occupied by a split-level house in multiple occupation (HMO) on the south side of the A40 West Wycombe Road, one of the main routes into High Wycombe.

Planning documents state the property currently contains seven HMO units, adding: “Following pre-application advice from Buckinghamshire Council, and responses to previous applications at the site, the quantum of development has been reduced to provide five-residential units.

“The existing parking area will be formalised to provide a total of six car parking spaces; an improvement to the existing ad-hoc layout.

“With regards to cycle parking, a total of 10 spaces are provided, in excess of from Buckinghamshire Council’s minimum standards, highlighting the applicant’s intention to promote sustainable travel.”

In regards to concerns about bats, the applicant added: “The surveys undertaken to date have indicated that there is a sufficiently low risk of bat roosts being present on site, and works can proceed without any further survey or licence requirements.”