Plans for up to 170 homes on Green Belt land on the edge of Chesham have been submitted to Buckinghamshire Council.

Toscaig Ltd is seeking outline permission to develop land next to Nashleigh House in Lycrome Road.

Fifty per cent of the proposed homes would be affordable, while the scheme would also include commercial or community space, play facilities, new walking and cycling routes and more than 2.7 hectares of public open space.

The application has been submitted with all matters reserved except for one means of vehicle access from Lycrome Road.

This means the council is being asked to consider the proposed access at this stage, alongside whether the principle of the development is acceptable.

The precise layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of the scheme would be considered through subsequent reserved-matters applications if outline permission is granted.

Illustrative plans show a possible development of 170 homes, with most buildings of up to two storeys and occasional buildings of up to two-and-a-half storeys.

A 370-square-metre mixed-use building could provide shops or community facilities on its ground floor, with homes above.

Five pedestrian and cycle access points are proposed, including connections towards Hillcroft Road, Brushwood Junior School and existing public footpaths.

Two potential future road connections are also shown along the southern boundary, which could link the scheme with adjoining land if it is developed in the future.

The 9.8-hectare application site is within the Green Belt, but the developer argues that it should be regarded as “grey belt” because it does not strongly contribute to several Green Belt purposes.

The applicant’s planning documents also cite Buckinghamshire’s shortage of deliverable housing land and the proposed provision of 50 per cent affordable housing in support of the development.

These arguments will be assessed by Buckinghamshire Council before it determines the application.

The plans include one larger equipped play area, three smaller play areas, a half ball court and a community orchard.

Lycrome Wood would be retained and protected by a ten-metre ecological buffer, while a five-metre landscaped strip is proposed along part of the boundary between the development and the rear gardens of homes in Deer Park Walk.

The developer says the scheme would achieve a biodiversity net gain of at least 10 per cent.

An earlier version of the proposal presented during public consultation in May 2025 contained approximately 150 homes, a 3G sports pitch, pavilion and car park.

The housing capacity has since increased to a maximum of 170, while the sports facilities have been removed.

The Design and Access Statement says the facilities were omitted because of a lack of demonstrated need and local appetite for their continuing occupation and management.