Protecting Gerrards Cross from development

Nov 21 2008 By Jack Abell

The support of people in Gerrards Cross is vitally needed if areas of the village are to be protected from development according to the district council.

South Bucks District Council (SBDC) has drawn up a plan to extend the Conservation Area in the village, but the scheme needs to be supported by residents if it is to be implemented.

The plan has been drawn up over the past two years following the GX2006 heritage programme which celebrated the centenary of the arrival of the railway in the village in 1906.

The programme proved highly successful when it was launched two years ago, and many people who attended it expressed concerns over the preservation of the village for future generations.

As a result of this, Harvey Parr and Julian Hunt, who organised GX2006, wrote to Gerrards Cross parish council and SBDC, asking for the current Conservation Area in the village to be extended.

Two years later, SBDC have drawn up their plans, but the support of residents is needed if it is to go ahead.

Mr Parr, of the Woodlands, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the council's response to us. It is vital that more of Gerrards Cross is preserved for the future and the council have recognised this. By extending the Conservation Area we will be able to ensure that any development that happens in these areas will fit in with the character of the surrounding environment."

Gerrards Cross Common was designated as a Conservation Area in 1987, but the new plan will see a large extension of the areas protected, including properties to the South of Oxford Road as well as St James' church and its churchyard, also in Oxford Road.

Mr Parr added: "This is fantastic plan but we now need people to give the council their feedback if the idea is to go ahead. We need people's support on this if we are to protect Gerrards Cross from developers."

People can express their views by attending public exhibitions due to take place in the Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, or by visiting www.southbucks.gov.uk and filling out a questionnaire.