Village of 113 could expand to include 8,000 homes

A village with a population of 113 could become part of a new town and expand to include 8,000 homes.

Beachampton, between Buckingham and Milton Keynes, is part of Buckinghamshire Council's local plan proposals for 91,000 homes in the area by 2045.

Alison Huizeling, who has lived in Beachampton for 10 years, said: "We're going to be surrounded by lots of houses and the land and beauty of this area will go considerably."

Steven Broadbent, the Conservative leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said: "The government requires Buckinghamshire to plan for significant housing growth and while we do not set targets, we have a responsibility to outline how that growth is managed."

Beachampton is a village beside the River Great Ouse and currently has 65 properties, a village hall, church and pub with an Indian restaurant.

Huizeling said: "We do realise houses have to go somewhere but our concern is we obviously know that south Bucks has got the area of outstanding natural beauty, but that means 85% of the development [in the local plan] is coming to the north."

She voiced concerns about job opportunities for her new neighbours too, adding: "In the south of the county, there's this extensive network into London and we do have Milton Keynes, but we are not on Milton Keynes's doorstep.

"I know there are plans with Winslow [for development] but even so there's a drive there so it's not typically commuter belt and it concerns us where these people are going to be employed."

At one point, the village had been put forward - along with Cheddington - for the government's new towns scheme, but it was later not shortlisted.

Instead, it has been included in Buckinghamshire Council's local plan, which sets out a vision for future housing development, along with eight urban areas including Aylesbury, Haddenham, Princes Risborough, Stoke Mandeville, Wing and Winslow.

Steph Harwood, who moved her family to Beachampton 20 years ago so her children could go to school in Buckinghamshire, said: "I don't really understand why they want to build another new town so close to Milton Keynes as it's already overpopulated.

"I think it's because we're conveniently at the very end of Buckinghamshire and are closest to Milton Keynes.

"Over the years it's been very clear that we're the last ones to get roads redone and we never have things like snowploughs coming round, so it's almost like we're out of Buckinghamshire's territory."

Parts of Beachampton are on high ground, but most of the village is prone to regular flooding by the stream that runs through it.

Harwood added: "I hope they will listen to us because it will impact Milton Keynes, Bedford, all the cities downriver from here if they're building on what's naturally holding the water back to the floodplain."

Broadbent said: "This draft local plan is our best opportunity to retain local control and shape Buckinghamshire's future and provides a clear strategy for accommodating growth while protecting the green belt, supporting the economy and ensuring homes, jobs and infrastructure are planned together.

"This is the final opportunity for people to comment, I would encourage everyone with an interest in Buckinghamshire's future to read it and take part."

The proposals are out for a six-week public consultation, before being submitted to the government by 31 December 2026.

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.