HUGHENDEN VALLEY resident Dennis Hackling said houses being proposed in Warrendene Road will make a “beautiful” area into “a building site.”

Hughenden Parish Council is working in partnership with English Rural Housing Community and Impact Bucks to propose 10 affordable homes in the parish.

They have identified land in Warrendene Road, Hughenden Valley as suitable for building the homes which is in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Green Belt.

But Dennis Hackling of Warrendene Road said:“At the stroke of a pen they want to make it into a building site.

He said: “The main thing is it would ruin a beautiful area. It is not just for me but for people walking up the valley and Piggotts Hill whereas the council just see it as cheap land and a chance to build houses.”

The 67-year-old added more thought should go into where these sites go. He said: “It should be fitted in small infill sites so people are assimilated and not separated.

“If you are looking for houses for young people in the valley or the surrounding areas you have got to find somewhere which is best for the families.”

Draft scheme layouts and basic sketch designs have been produced and will be on display in the parish council offices on Wednesday.

There is a chance for people to register their housing need so the council can identify if there is a definite need for affordable housing.

Chairman of the parish council Peggy Ewart said: “I recognise parishioners' concerns. I am keen on green belt and areas of outstanding natural beauty as any one else. We have gone through an exhaustive process.

“In an area like this it is difficult to find a site acceptable to planning officers. The council thought long and hard. It is committed to facilitating affordable homes as much as it possibly can.”

She said the plans are not set in stone and people are welcome to look at the plans and proposals.

Colin White, planning officer on the Conservation Board of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty said: “The board are generally supportive of affordable housing. It is the sort of thing that leads to an improvement of economic and social benefits in communities.

“We have to make sure it is the right site and in the right place and ticks all the boxes. If the design, location and materials are right there is no reason why it shouldn't take place.”

The rural affordable housing open day is on Wednesday March 10 from 3pm to 7.30pm at Hughenden Parish Council Offices in The Common, Great Kingshill.