Buying a plot of land

We are aware of the intensive marketing of plots of land in several areas in the district. A number of these sites are within the Green Belt and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), others are in the open countryside. The plots are promoted as an investment opportunity with the suggestion that planning permission for housing development will be available at some time in the future.

You may be interested to visit the Property Scam website - please see link at the bottom of the page.

Check policy restrictions before buying land

Before completing any purchase of land, you are advised to check the policy restrictions which cover the area you are interested in.

You can do this online by using the proposals map in the Local Plan. This sets out the Council's current position regarding possible development in the Green Belt, AONB and open countryside. To do this, open the Local Plan using this link:

View the Wycombe District Council Local Plan

• Select an area using the "Choose by place name" menu in the top left corner
• A map of the area will open
• Use the legend in the left-hand column and click on a topic to see the policy relating to it

We also advise you to check whether an Article 4 Direction (which removes some permitted development rights) has been made on the land. You can do this by calling our customer service centre on 01494 461 000.

Several Article 4 Directions have been made on land in the countryside in recent years. These are at:

• Valley Road/Cryers Hill Road, Hughenden Valley
• Slough Lane, Saunderton
• Bryants Bottom Road, Hughenden
• Hampden Road, Prestwood
• Wycombe Road, Saunderton
• Church Lane, Lacey Green
• Upper Thames Way, Bourne End
• North of Bovingdon Heights, Marlow

Article 4 Directions are also proposed on land at:

• Marlow Road, Lane End

Protecting the countryside

We are very strongly committed to the protection of the countryside from all forms of inappropriate development (including new housing). If the plot of land you are interested in is currently in the Green Belt, AONB or open countryside it is likely to remain as such until at least 2016 under current proposals - in which case the strongest policies of restraint upon development will still apply.

Please give serious consideration to the above points before purchasing any plots advertised as an investment opportunity. Please check the prices of other land in the area and if in doubt contact our Planning team.