Developing proposals for regeneration, culture, housing, transport, sustainability and economic growth for the benefit of everyone who lives, works and visits Chesham.
Read Our Reports Current ProjectsChesham is a thriving market town with a rich heritage, an active community and a unique setting within the Chilterns. Like many towns, it faces important choices about housing, employment, transport, culture, environmental protection and the future of its town centre.
The Chesham Masterplan has been developed to encourage informed discussion about those choices. It brings together practical, evidence-based proposals intended to stimulate debate and help shape a prosperous, sustainable future for the town.
Prepared by Chesham Renaissance Community Interest Company, the Masterplan aims to complement the work of Buckinghamshire Council, Chesham Town Council, local organisations, businesses and residents by providing independent analysis and constructive ideas.
A central proposal within the Masterplan is the creation of a modern dual-theatre cultural hub on the former M&Co site in Chesham High Street. The proposal would provide a purpose-built venue comprising a 300-seat main auditorium together with a flexible 100-seat studio theatre capable of supporting professional performances, community activities, education, cinema and rehearsals.
The proposal would enable the existing Elgiva Theatre site to be redeveloped, creating new homes while potentially generating a capital receipt capable of contributing significantly towards the cost of a replacement theatre. This approach seeks to deliver both improved cultural facilities and wider regeneration benefits for the town.
The proposal is explained in detail within the downloadable reports available below.
Supporting investment, vitality and a stronger High Street.
Strengthening arts, performance, heritage and community facilities.
Encouraging sustainable housing that supports local needs.
Improving accessibility, walking, cycling and public transport.
Protecting the River Chess, green spaces and the Chiltern landscape.
Supporting local businesses, employment and inward investment.
Buckinghamshire Council is preparing a new Local Plan that will help shape where homes, employment, infrastructure and community facilities are provided across the county over the coming decades.
Chesham Renaissance Community Interest Company is preparing an independent review of the emerging Local Plan together with evidence-based commentary on the implications for Chesham.
The review will consider housing growth, transport, the future of the town centre, cultural facilities, environmental protection and opportunities for sustainable economic development.
The Local Plan can be accessed here:
Chesham Town Centre Policy
and your response can be made on the Council Consultation page here:
These are very lengthy documents, so to see sites in Chesham go to Chapter 6, Site Allocations and scroll down to Tier 2, (6.399), CHS 01, 02 & 03 where you will find the three major town centre proposals.
And then go back to Appendices and in Appendix K youe will find a number of smaller Chesham sites starting on page 11.
An interactive map showing all of the sites can be found here:
Chesham Renaissance review of the Local Plan:
An AI generated view of Star Yard redeveloped with 240 dwellings as propsed in the Buckinghamshire Local Plan:
Star Yard 240 dwellings - Design not endorsed by Chesham Renaissance.
Chesham Renaissance Regulation 19 Response submitted to the Planning Inspectorate:
Our proposals are supported by detailed research, analysis and technical assessment. The following reports are available to download.
Proposal for Redeveloping the Former M&Co Site into a Dual-Theatre Cultural Hub.
In 2022 Chesham Renaissance CIC, prepared an illustrative concept for the redevelopment of the Star Yard central car park as a high-quality residential development overlooking the River Chess.
The scheme explored how under-utilised brownfield land in the centre of Chesham could accommodate new homes while enhancing the public realm, improving connections to the river and supporting investment in the town centre whilst maintaining existing car parking levels.
Strategic analysis supporting the Chesham Masterplan.
An account of the public consultation undertaken, including who was involved, how they were engaged and the feedback and comments.
Publication of the proposal for a new Theatre & Cultural Hub on the former M&Co site.
Stage 2 Masterplan Report published.
Independent review of the Buckinghamshire Local Plan.
Chesham Renaissance Community Interest Company welcomes comments, ideas and opportunities to work with residents, businesses, community organisations and public bodies.
Email: contact@cheshammasterplan.uk