A PROPOSAL to build a dental surgery in a conservation area has met stiff opposition from neighbours who fear extra traffic will lead to chaos on the already busy London Road.

And they claim that the proposal, which includes a rear car park, goes against council policy safeguarding small residences from being taken over by businesses.

Neighbouring residents were shocked when Wycombe District Council wrote telling them of the planning application in May, just six months after the same dentist was refused permission.

They believe the proposed surgery site at 37 London Road, High Wycombe, will mean 22 extra vehicles using the stretch of road every hour and that an overspill from the nine-space proposed car park will see surgery visitors using their parking zones.

Geoff Bowley, 79, an ex-Mayor of High Wycombe who lives opposite the site in St Bernard's Court, believes the district council should draw the line and throw out the application for good.

He said: "It's absurd they are allowed to apply time and time again even though councillors already threw it out.

"The traffic is heavy enough which is not helped by the bus lane. It's not that I am against surgeries but it is in a protected conservation area. The character of family dwellings in the area should be safe from being over-run by businesses and this clearly contravenes this policy."

District councillor Julia Wassell (Lab, Keep Hill and Hicks Farm) agrees with the residents.

She said: "It will spoil the character of the surrounding area as well as cause congestion problems on London Road, which is already incredibly busy."

Derek Slade, spokesman for architectural firm TLJ Partnership in Easton Street, High Wycombe, said there is a need for a ground floor dental surgery with car parking facilities in the area.

He said: "We are forwarding a letter from Bucks Health Authority which strongly supports the application on the grounds that there is a shortfall of surgeries with adequate provision for elderly and disabled patients in High Wycombe."

A council spokesman said: "There are no restrictions on the number of planning applications put in by any party. Each one is considered on its own merit."