History
1963
Widmer Farm purchased by Laing Homes as part of their land bank, The company later was subsumed into Lovell Homes, then Wimpey Homes then Taylor Wimpey and finally Woodrow, Taylor Wimpey. The farm was let to Mr Pennington, a farmer with main holdings at Brill, who used the land for his cattle. From time to time the grass was harvested.. 1969
Wycombe District Council published 'The High Wycombe and District Planning Review’ identifying a number of proposed housing development areas including H7 (which included Widmer Farm) along with an A404 diversion across Grange Farm/Terriers Farm to bypass Hazlemere and finish at the Hughenden Valley Road. A404 Action Group was the umbrella organisation coordinating opposition. The Chairman was Bryan Tomkins with Treasurer Richard Locke of Hazlemere Residents Association. Widmer End Residents Association was formed chaired by Pam Jones
1971 To 1981
There were several planning applications, WDC Development Plans and enquiries and a County Structure plan EIP. All failed to include Widmer Fields. The Northern Action Group was formed to oppose development with the principle activist being Margot Baker.
1980's
Widmer Farm (within Wycombe Rural District Council area) was confirmed as included in The Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but Terriers Farm was excluded because it fell within the Wycombe Urban Council’s area. Inkerman Farm was sold by the Ernest Cook Trust after the tenant farmer ceased operations. Hughenden/Chepping Wycombe/Penn Parish councils jointly purchased one parcel of land (to be known eventually as Queensway) as recreational land for Hazlemere in preparation for the imminent formation of Hazlemere Parish Council. The allotments area was subsequently extended to satisfy demand.
1996
There was an application and public enquiry regarding footpaths on Widmer Farm, the applicant being Mrs Nuth Widmer End). A network of footpaths were confirmed in June 2000
2000
The Sunningwell (Oxfordshire) Judgement confirmed that Village Green Status confers protection in perpetuity against encroachment (Development) on land under the Enclosures Acts and other ancient Statutory Instruments. These cannot be overthrown by compulsory purchase, only by special Act of Parliament. Then there was the WDC Development Plan public consultation and enquiry. Grange Action Group was formed to coordinate opposition to development in the Grange Farm Area.
August 2000
An application was lodged for Village Green designation for three main fields of Widmer Farm. The Public Enquiry with leading barrister Richard Ground presenting GAG’s case won but eventually lost on appeal by Wimpey Homes in the High Court. (2003).
2007
There was Green Belt designation for Widmer Fields and Wimpey decided the land to be undevelopable. Savilles appointed agents for the sale of Widmer Fields on the open market. New regulations come into force whereby owners of land could seek Village Green status without the evidence base previously required. GAG started to plan a charity with the aim of buying the fields. 100 + supporters pledged various sums in support after meeting in the barn in Cedar Avenue.
July 2010
The Grange Action Group, now re-named the Grange Area Trust, was granted charitable status by the Charity Commissioners under the stewardship of three trustees.
Sept 2012
The purchase of Widmer Fields by the Grange Area Trust was completed with the help of an interest-free loan (2 years) and four more trustees joined.
Widmer Farm purchased by Laing Homes as part of their land bank, The company later was subsumed into Lovell Homes, then Wimpey Homes then Taylor Wimpey and finally Woodrow, Taylor Wimpey. The farm was let to Mr Pennington, a farmer with main holdings at Brill, who used the land for his cattle. From time to time the grass was harvested.. 1969
Wycombe District Council published 'The High Wycombe and District Planning Review’ identifying a number of proposed housing development areas including H7 (which included Widmer Farm) along with an A404 diversion across Grange Farm/Terriers Farm to bypass Hazlemere and finish at the Hughenden Valley Road. A404 Action Group was the umbrella organisation coordinating opposition. The Chairman was Bryan Tomkins with Treasurer Richard Locke of Hazlemere Residents Association. Widmer End Residents Association was formed chaired by Pam Jones
1971 To 1981
There were several planning applications, WDC Development Plans and enquiries and a County Structure plan EIP. All failed to include Widmer Fields. The Northern Action Group was formed to oppose development with the principle activist being Margot Baker.
1980's
Widmer Farm (within Wycombe Rural District Council area) was confirmed as included in The Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but Terriers Farm was excluded because it fell within the Wycombe Urban Council’s area. Inkerman Farm was sold by the Ernest Cook Trust after the tenant farmer ceased operations. Hughenden/Chepping Wycombe/Penn Parish councils jointly purchased one parcel of land (to be known eventually as Queensway) as recreational land for Hazlemere in preparation for the imminent formation of Hazlemere Parish Council. The allotments area was subsequently extended to satisfy demand.
1996
There was an application and public enquiry regarding footpaths on Widmer Farm, the applicant being Mrs Nuth Widmer End). A network of footpaths were confirmed in June 2000
2000
The Sunningwell (Oxfordshire) Judgement confirmed that Village Green Status confers protection in perpetuity against encroachment (Development) on land under the Enclosures Acts and other ancient Statutory Instruments. These cannot be overthrown by compulsory purchase, only by special Act of Parliament. Then there was the WDC Development Plan public consultation and enquiry. Grange Action Group was formed to coordinate opposition to development in the Grange Farm Area.
August 2000
An application was lodged for Village Green designation for three main fields of Widmer Farm. The Public Enquiry with leading barrister Richard Ground presenting GAG’s case won but eventually lost on appeal by Wimpey Homes in the High Court. (2003).
2007
There was Green Belt designation for Widmer Fields and Wimpey decided the land to be undevelopable. Savilles appointed agents for the sale of Widmer Fields on the open market. New regulations come into force whereby owners of land could seek Village Green status without the evidence base previously required. GAG started to plan a charity with the aim of buying the fields. 100 + supporters pledged various sums in support after meeting in the barn in Cedar Avenue.
July 2010
The Grange Action Group, now re-named the Grange Area Trust, was granted charitable status by the Charity Commissioners under the stewardship of three trustees.
Sept 2012
The purchase of Widmer Fields by the Grange Area Trust was completed with the help of an interest-free loan (2 years) and four more trustees joined.