PUBLIC
CONSULTATION
NOW OPEN
Buckinghamshire Council is proposing a major new settlement around Cheddington, with significant consequences for Mentmore and neighbouring villages. Make your voice heard before the consultation closes.
TIME LEFT TO
HAVE YOUR SAY
TIME LEFT TO
HAVE YOUR SAY
Public Consultation Now Open
Submit your response before 11:59pm on Sunday 6 September 2026.
Why Mentmore is Under Threat
A major new settlement at Cheddington would bring development on an unprecedented scale to the countryside immediately surrounding Mentmore. The proposal would place thousands of additional houses, roads and infrastructure close to the village and its historic landscape.
Mentmore Action Group is challenging the evidence behind the proposal and examining its potential effects on our countryside, heritage, roads, infrastructure and neighbouring communities. We are working alongside Cheddington Action Group and other local groups facing the same proposals.
A settlement on a completely different scale
The Draft Local Plan proposes at least 7,459 houses in and around Cheddington, compared with just 842 dwellings today. Around 422 hectares of land are allocated, representing an increase in the number of houses of roughly 786%.
This is not simply an extension to the existing village. Development on this scale would create an entirely different settlement pattern and require infrastructure capable of supporting a substantially larger population.
The consequences would extend far beyond the houses themselves. Roads, bridges, rail services, Cheddington Station, schools, healthcare, water supply, wastewater treatment, electricity and other utilities would all need significant additional capacity.
See the Council’s deeply concerning Cheddington plans and explore the latest Stage 4 NESS interactive map using the links below.
Cause for Concern
When Stage 3 of the New and Expanded Settlement Study (NESS) was published in February 2026, Cheddington was shown in blue, meaning it was not being taken forward into the Draft Local Plan and public consultation. Residents therefore had every reason to believe development on this scale was off the table.
That changed with Stage 4 in June 2026, when Cheddington suddenly switched from blue to green and returned as a proposed new settlement, alongside substantial additional development around the village.
Other communities whose sites remained under consideration have had much longer to scrutinise the proposals and supporting evidence. Cheddington, Mentmore, Horton, Long Marston and surrounding communities now have only until 6 September 2026 to examine the proposals and prepare their response.
That leaves a dramatically shorter window to understand the consequences, challenge the evidence and methodology, and prepare properly evidenced representations on proposals that could fundamentally change these communities.
The NESS Study
The New and Expanded Settlement Study (NESS) forms part of Buckinghamshire Council's evidence for identifying locations capable of accommodating major growth and forms an important part of the evidence supporting the current proposals.
Cheddington's position changed significantly between Stage 3 and Stage 4. The Council should clearly explain why the site returned to consideration, what changed in the assessment and what evidence justified such a major reversal.
The master appraisal also raises important questions about the assumptions behind the selection, including rail capacity, infrastructure requirements and whether development on this scale can realistically be supported and delivered.
The evidence, scoring and methodology behind Cheddington's selection must be transparent and open to full scrutiny — particularly given the limited time affected communities now have to respond.
Cheddington Action Group and Mentmore Action Group are calling on Buckinghamshire Council to reconsider the scale and basis of the proposals, and to demonstrate that development on this scale is justified, sustainable and genuinely deliverable. Both communities are working closely together, alongside their Parish Councils, to scrutinise the evidence and challenge the proposals.
Buckinghamshire Council is planning for major growth across the county, but the scale proposed around Cheddington would place enormous demands on roads, rail, schools, healthcare, water, wastewater and other essential infrastructure.
For Cheddington, this is not simply about how many houses can be allocated. It is about whether a settlement on this scale can realistically be supported without overwhelming the infrastructure and services the area depends on.
Questions the Local Plan must answer
Before development on this scale can be considered sound and deliverable, the evidence behind it must answer some fundamental questions.
What 7,459 houses would require
A new settlement on this scale would depend on major infrastructure being funded and delivered before the additional pressure arrives.
A landscape with real constraints
The proposed development area contains significant heritage, landscape, agricultural, ecological and infrastructure constraints — all of which must be properly assessed before development on this scale can be considered viable.
The consultation closes on 6 September 2026. Cheddington, Mentmore, Horton, Long Marston and surrounding villages have limited time to respond — make sure our communities are heard before it is too late.
Houses Proposed
Compared with just 842 dwellings in Cheddington today.
Hectares Allocated
Around 422 hectares of rural and agricultural land are allocated for development.
Cheddington Today
Cheddington currently has just 842 dwellings.
Proposed Growth
The proposed increase in the number of houses compared with Cheddington today.
Frequently Asked Questions
NESS stands for New and Expanded Settlement Study. It forms part of Buckinghamshire Council's evidence for identifying locations capable of accommodating major growth. In Stage 3, published in February 2026, Cheddington was shown in blue and was not being taken forward. By Stage 4 in June 2026, Cheddington had switched to green and was again identified for a major new settlement. The Council should explain what changed between the two stages and what evidence justified that reversal.
The Draft Local Plan proposes at least 7,459 houses in and around Cheddington, across approximately 422 hectares of land. Cheddington currently has just 842 dwellings — meaning the proposals represent an increase in the number of houses of roughly 786%.
No. The proposals form part of Buckinghamshire Council's Draft Local Plan and are currently subject to public consultation. The consultation closes on 6 September 2026. The Local Plan must still go through the statutory planning process and independent examination before it can be adopted. This is why responding to the consultation now is so important.
Residents can respond to Buckinghamshire Council's Draft Local Plan consultation before 6 September 2026. Our Have Your Say page explains the options available and provides guidance to help you prepare your response.
Cheddington Action Group (CAG) is a volunteer residents' group representing Cheddington. It has no party affiliation, no developer funding and no paid staff. CAG is coordinating the village's response to the Draft Local Plan and preparing a Group Representation challenging the proposals.
Mentmore Action Group is run by local residents concerned about the impact of the proposed Cheddington development on Mentmore and the surrounding communities. The group is working alongside Cheddington Action Group and the local Parish Councils to scrutinise the evidence and challenge the proposals.
Buckinghamshire Council's earlier assessment reportedly placed Cheddington among the lower-performing options. The Council should explain why the site returned between Stage 3 and Stage 4 and demonstrate that the proposal is justified, sustainable and deliverable.
What You Can Do
Sign the Petition
Add your name to oppose the proposed Cheddington New Town development and show the strength of local opposition.
Sign the PetitionWrite to Councillors
Contact local councillors and decision-makers to make sure your concerns about the proposals are heard.
Write NowContact the Campaign Team
Have information, questions or concerns? Contact Mentmore Action Group directly or get involved with the campaign.
Contact UsSupport the Campaign
Help fund research, professional advice and campaign materials needed to challenge the proposals effectively.
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