We are a non-profit organisation, run by a small core group of volunteers.
SENSE was established in 2004 in response to the proposed large-scale development on the Epilepsy Society’s (formally the NSE) site. SENSE successfully raised funds from villagers to fight against the development and win a legal challenge to defeat the planning application at appeal.
We fully acknowledge that there is a desperate need to build more homes across the country, including affordable housing. It’s so important that the next generation has the opportunity to purchase a home of their own in our beautiful village in the future so that it can continue to thrive. However, we believe that new developments should be sustainable in terms of the road network, adequate infrastructure and access to public transport. We are also committed to protecting the environment, while maintaining the character of Chalfont St Peter through the preservation of our precious Green Belt.
Sadly, our village is once again under threat as the Epilepsy Society has recently submitted another planning application to build a staggering 975 homes on Green Belt land within the Colne Valley Regional Park. SENSE needs your help to stop this massive unsustainable development as it would change the character of Chalfont St Peter forever.
SENSE members have proactively supported local developments, such as the excellently designed Audley Chalfont Dene development off Rickmansworth Road, where they meet our core principles and we’ll continue to do so.
So far, we have…
The SENSE core group worked hard to raise awareness
We have worked hard to raise awareness of planning applications that affect Chalfont St Peter village. We set up this website so you can read up-to-date information on local planning issues that affect our village. We also produce regular newsletters that are sent directly to our subscribers’ inbox, so they can be regularly updated and informed.
We work collaboratively with experts to fight specific issues and hold public meeting when appropriate to inform villagers about current matters we’re campaigning against. The last meeting was attended by over 400 residents as part of our fight to block the latest unsustainable Epilepsy Society’s planning application and inform residents how best to have their say.
We also keep residents informed by delivering leaflets to every home in Chalfont St Peter when there’s something important to share with the whole village.
Holy Cross development
We led a highly successful campaign against the over development of the Holy Cross site in the centre of the village, managing to drastically reduce the density of houses and flats on the site.
We actively supported the Parish Council’s decision to mount a legal challenge against Chiltern District Council in relation to the planning application.
Scrutinising the Local Plan
We scrutinised the now defunct Chiltern District Council’s Local Plan and campaigned against the inclusion of prime Green Belt land, including that adjacent to the Paccar Sount Camp which would have resulted in the closure of this nationally used amenity. A Buckinghamshire Council-wide Local Plan is due to be completed in 2025 and we will again give the same level of scrutiny to the proposed new Local Plan.
M25 Motorway Service Station
We submitted a strong objection to the proposed M25 Motorway Service Station, due to be built on Green Belt land in Chalfont St Peter – The developer’s appeal was rejected!
The Epilepsy Society’s latest planning application
The Epilepsy society’s planning application submitted in 2022 is the largest single proposed development in Chalfont St Peter’s history. We are working collaboratively with the Chalfont St Peter Parish Council on this complex application to oppose this large unsustainable development. Detailed information can be found HERE.