Latest news with #StokePoges
BBC News
19-06-2025
- BBC News
Stoke Poges PC critically hurt in crash out of intensive care
A police officer who was left critically injured in a crash while on duty is out of intensive care, a police force has Christopher Miller was left with life-threatening injuries following the incident on the B416 in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, on 22 May. Thames Valley Police said the 38-year-old was discharged from the intensive care unit and moved on to a rehabilitation ward. In total, five people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Thames Valley Police said a white BMW vehicle did not stop at the scene of the crash, which happened at about 22:20 of those arrested included a 28-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and using a motor vehicle on a road without was set to appear at Reading Crown Court on 23 PC Miller, the force said: "His family continue to be supported by specially trained colleagues, and on behalf of PC Miller and his family, we would like to thank everybody for their well wishes, as he continues on his long road to recovery." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Woman, 75, in £600k house furious after next-door neighbour demolishes home 'without permission' making her life a 'nightmare'
A 75-year-old owner of a £600,000 home says her recovery from cancer has become a 'nightmare' after the house attached to hers was demolished without planning permission - and works to build a new house have no end in sight. The row has kicked off in the peaceful village of Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire, where Doreen Beacom has lived for 25 years in her semi-detached house - which is now abutting an 'eyesore' building site she dreads seeing every morning. The property has stood unoccupied since it was bought by Jasbir Baryah in 2022, shortly before Mr Baryah sought planning permission for a ground floor extension. Doreen said she didn't take much notice of the application - until January 2023 when builders began to remove the roof of the house. Doreen watched in horror as the whole building that shares a wall with her property was demolished over the span of nine months - with retrospective planning permission for the works granted by Buckinghamshire Council in February last year. The grandmother-of-three said: 'It has been a bloody nightmare. 'I was dealing with cancer when this all started. I was just getting over that when these works started. 'They did quite a lot of digging and vibrations from the digging were just a nightmare. They had a grab loader and it was continuous beep-beep-beep from 7.30 to five in the afternoon. 'There was a mature garden next door - a huge ash tree, three apple trees. They razed it all. It was desolation. It was a sanctuary for wild creatures. I used to see frogs and toads in my garden - I haven't seen frog in my garden, you know.' She added: 'I started getting heart palpitations. I get up five o'clock in the morning, my brain switches on that bloomin building, and I just can't get it out of my head. I've had a heart monitor fitted.' Since the demolition works started, a crack has appeared along the rear outside wall of Doreen's property and a draft from the attic became a recurring problem after the adjacent roof was removed. Doreen said she was outraged when Buckinghamshire Council granted retrospective planning permission for the demolition works - and then granted further permission for proposed new building with an extension that will block light to Doreen's garden. Doreen said she has had to repeatedly warn the council that the new building is now extending beyond its approved plans. She said: 'What's happening, it's going to make a lot of difference to me. It's going to overpower my patio. 'I have no faith in the council. They should have realised that they were not following the plans that were approved. They should have checked. 'They should make the fines much higher - if it's a genuine mistake, there should be some give and take.' Since the demolition works started, a crack has appeared along the rear outside wall of Doreen's property and a draft from the attic became a recurring problem after the adjacent roof was removed But Doreen praised councillors from Stoke Poges Parish Council who have supported Doreen's engagement with the local authority. The parish council has also opposed the building works, with a planning meeting referring to the proposed new building as 'over dominant, obtrusive and out of keeping, as well as appearing as a cramped overdevelopment of the site'. The ongoing ordeal has left Doreen's friends and family deeply concerned for her well-being. She said: 'My daughter says, 'you have changed'. She said, 'can't you live with it', and I said 'no' - because it's wrong. It's unfair.' And Doreen worries about how the development next door will affect the value of her house. She said: 'Houses were going for £620,000 in the road before these building works. God knows what they would say now. 'Of course, I want to get on with my neighbours. I want to welcome new blood to the area.' Full planning permission was granted for the original extension of the property but the owner was not aware demolition of the building was not part of the permission, according to a representative from an architecture firm involved in the original plan to extend the property. David Hafield, of Hadfield Noblin, said: 'We were not aware that, following discussion with the builder and energy consultant, the applicant Mr Baryah, had made the decision to demolish the property with the view of rebuilding it to a better standard, particularly with respect to improved thermal insulation and energy conservation. 'With the intention of carrying out the works as approved Mr Baryah was unaware that the permission did not include for the demolition of the property. 'The retrospective application for the demolition of the property was prepared and submitted within 14 days of the receipt of the notice from the local planning authority, and permission was granted within the normal statutory period. 'The local planning authority were satisfied that the proposals did not constitute overdevelopment – hence the granting of the permissions.' It's not the first planning row involving retrospective permission in the usually quiet village. Civil war has erupted on a leafy street around the corner after a 'horrific' extension on a £1million property - which neighbours claim they knew nothing about until it was finished. Locals claim the new property is in breach of planning rules and looks like a 'Los AngelesMcMansion'. The parish council and locals have accused owner Jag Bahia of breaching planning permission granted for his extension works on the property. Mr Baryah has been approached for comment. Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Peter Strachan said: 'Demolition at the property began without prior planning consent. Retrospective permission was granted in February 2024 after the council determined that the development complies with National and Local Planning Policies. 'We do not actively monitor construction; instead, it is the landowner's responsibility to ensure that the work is carried out to the approved plans . 'However, the Council is aware that the new building at this site is not built in accordance with the approved plans and we are addressing that through the normal planning enforcement process.'
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Residents' fury after wealthy neighbour extends his 'horrific' £1million 'American-style McMansion' without planning permission sparking 'war for the ages'
Civil war has erupted on a leafy street over a 'horrific' extension on a £1million property which neighbours claim they knew nothing about until it was finished. Locals claim the new property is in breach of planning rules and looks like a ' Los Angeles McMansion'. The row has kicked off in the peaceful village of Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire, where locals are 'gearing up' for a 'planning battle'. Councillors on Stoke Poges Parish Council and locals have accused owner Jag Bahia of breaching planning permission granted for his extension works on the property. The property's extended garage and roof, as well as altered window layouts, all deviate from the original plans approved by Buckinghamshire Council. Nearby residents agreed with the parish council's objection that the finished works are not in keeping with the traditional English character of the area - with one neighbour saying it was like living across the road from an American mansion. Tracey Harvey, who has lived on the road for 22 years, said: 'It's just shocking to look at. It would look good in Hollywood - not here. 'We are crying out for houses and yet people aren't allowed to build. But they get away with it - it's a joke.' LOST IN TRANSLATION: Before and after plans reveal huge scale of development which neighbours say happened behind their backs LOST IN TRANSLATION: Before and after plans reveal huge scale of development which neighbours say happened behind their backs Tracey's husband Frank, 88, said: 'We're a bit down about it all. It's what people do - they chance it. It's what's going on all over this world - I don't get it.' A resident nearby said the finished works left the house too large for its plot - and strict repercussions should be carried out for any planning breaches. She said: 'Everyone thinks it's oversized for the plot. I feel sorry for the neighbours. I think it's way too big for where it is. It's horrific. She said: 'If they fine them, they should make it more than £20,000. It would send a message. There should be repercussions. 'Rule are there for a reason. Why should one person get away with it? It seems it's about how much money you can throw at it.' One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said they had made dozens of reports to the Environment Agency due to builders burning material in the property's garden during the works - but there was no indication that the issue was followed-up. They said: 'It's a shame that we have got a situation where rather than the local authority enforcing the rules that make everything work, they put us in a position where they pit neighbour versus neighbour. Who doesn't want to get on with people?' Julie Devonald, 50, who has lived on Gerrards Cross Road for 33 years, said: 'Some people are very cheeky. You give them an inch and they then take a mile. 'Just because you have done it, it doesn't mean you can get away with it.' Another resident said: 'We're all gearing up for a planning battle.' Online records indicate that the property was sold for £1,225,000 in 2020. The parish council has called in the application for a decision by Buckinghamshire Council's East and South Area Planning Committee. In its objection, the parish council argued that the proposed changes result in an inappropriate development due to substantial alterations. They add that the development would harm both the character and setting of the area, representing an overdevelopment of the site with an unsuitable design. The planning committee will meet on Tuesday, June 10, to decide on the application. Councilor Saera Carter said the parish council had to employ an outside expert to 'unpick' the planning application and works. She said: 'The parish council employed for the first time ever a consultant to unpick this mess. We kept looking at it saying, "this doesn't make sense, this doesn't make sense".'
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fifth arrest after PC Christopher Miller hurt in Stoke Poges
A fifth person has been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of a police officer, who is still critically ill in Valley Police said PC Christopher Miller sustained "life-threatening injuries" after an incident on the B416 Bells Hill in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, on 22 May.A 29-year-old man from Slough was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He has been released on bailIt came after Simranjit Kajla, 28, of Lydford Avenue in Slough, was charged with attempted murder, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance. He will appear at Reading Crown Court on 23 June. Thames Valley Police said last week PC Christopher Miller was "seriously injured while carrying out his duties as a police officer".The force said the vehicle involved was a white BMW, which would have been damaged after the incident, and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.A 38-year-old man from Slough had also been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and released on bail.A man and woman from Slough were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice. The woman, 37, was released on bail while the man, 43, was released under investigation.
BBC News
31-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fresh appeal week after officer is hurt in Stoke Poges crash
Checks for new information have been carried out at the scene of a crash in which a police officer suffered life-threatening Christopher Miller, 38, has been in hospital since the incident on the B416 Bells Hill in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire on 22 Valley Police spoke to drivers one week on to ask if they had "recalled seeing anything".Senior investigating officer, Det Supt Will Crowther, said: "I want to use this opportunity to continue to appeal to anyone who has information or footage from the area but is yet to contact the force to please come forward." "The vehicle involved was a white BMW, which will have been damaged after the incident. "We are keen to understand where the white BMW was before and after the incident, so if you saw the vehicle or anyone in the vehicle, please contact us."If you saw any other vehicles that caught your attention in the area that night, we would also be keen to hear from you. Det Supt Crowther added that the force could be contacted anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers. 'Difficult time' Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said: "Thames Valley Police has been shocked by the news of PC Christopher Miller being seriously injured while carrying out his duties as a police officer."PC Miller's family continue to be supported by our specially trained family liaison officers."Everyone within the force is thinking of PC Miller, his family and colleagues within our Roads Policing Unit."As a force, we continue to support each other through this difficult time."Simranjit Kajla, 28, of Lydford Avenue, Slough, has been charged with attempted murder, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody to appear at Reading Crown Court on 23 man from Slough, 38, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and causing serious injury by dangerous driving and has been released on police bail until 23 August.A man, 43, also from Slough, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice but has been released under investigation.A 37-year-old woman from Slough, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice, has been released on police bail until 25 August.
