District councils will still push forward with plans to build thousands of homes, following the announcement a new ‘super authority’ will be launched by 2020.

Speaking at a meeting of Chiltern District Council yesterday evening, cabinet member for planning and economic development, Peter Martin, said the Local Plan – which sets out future housing growth – is still a priority for the authority.

The news comes after leader of Bucks County Council, Martin Tett, said last week major decisions on cuts to children’s centres and rubbish tips will still go ahead before the implementation of the unitary authority.

Addressing CDC, Cllr Martin said: “I just want to confirm the situation in terms of the Local Plan in view of the unitary announcement.

“It makes no difference to that, and in fact we will to continue working on the Local Plan as a priority as we were before. It is important to make that clear.

“While we have been working on the plan we have had a series of development and policy meetings, we have had three, and we have another one on November 20.

“Potentially, if time requires, we will have another one to make sure we get through reviewing our policies ready for the local plan.”

Across the South Bucks and Chiltern districts space for 9,100 homes is needed, while Wycombe District Council will be factoring 10,975 homes into its plan.