Gomm Valley and Ashwells reserve sites
This extensive site lies between the eastern edge of High Wycombe and the villages of Penn and Tylers Green. Gomm Valley, which forms the bulk of the site, is an attractive dry valley landscape which is typical of the Chiltern Hills and, as the last undeveloped chalk valley in High Wycombe, is of great importance in landscape and strategic green infrastructure terms.
The site also contains important ecological features (calcareous grassland, broad-leaved woodland and species-rich hedgerows) including the Gomm Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Peregrine Business Park adjoins the site and provides an opportunity for business expansion.
Ashwells is at the northern-most tip of the site, and currently consists of pasture and paddocks. Together with Gomm Valley, it provides a separation between High Wycombe and Tylers Green and is therefore very important in terms of maintaining community identify.
What's happened so far
Gomm Valley and Ashwells development brief
In July 2017, our Cabinet has adopted the Gomm Valley and Ashwells development brief [PDF | 10.2MB]. This will inform any planning application submitted for the future development of the site.
The production of the Gomm Valley and Ashwells development brief was informed by a public consultation held between 19 September and 31 October 2016.
Public workshops
Our consultants, AR Urbanism, ran an all-day workshop event on Saturday 31 January. Following the event they produced a report of their findings and the key points raised at the meeting.
Planning performance agreement
We have signed a planning performance agreement (PPA) with Friends Life Limited, for the service of agreeing a development brief including a framework masterplan for adoption by WDC and pre-application advice.
Liaison group
The Gomm Valley and Ashwells liaison group has been set up to provide a forum for local stakeholders to play a proactive role in helping set key parameters for the way these sites should be developed in a managed way and to help shape development briefs to inform any planning applications that are submitted by developers.
The liaison group is chaired by Cllr David Johncock. The WDC officer looking after this site is Robert Harrison.
The full membership of the liaison group is as follows:
The inaugural meeting of the liaison group was held on Monday 26 January. View minutes, presentations and agenda papers (where available):
What's happening next
Planning applications have been submitted for parts of this site (19/05281/OUTEA and 18/05002/R9OUTE). You can view these applications on Public Access.
Contact information
Web form: Planning team
Email: spatialplanning@wycombe.gov.uk