A WELL-KNOWN furniture firm is searching for new premises because the road infrastructure can no longer cope with deliveries.

Martin's Furniture, Totteridge Road, High Wycombe, has been run by the Hawkins family for more than 50 years, both producing and selling household furniture.

But the small vans which used to deliver goods to the firm have now been replaced by articulated lorries which Totteridge Road and the surrounding areas cannot handle.

Last month, a plan was received by Wycombe District Council's planning applications panel to build 36 study bedrooms and three two-bedroomed flats for students on the site.

The application was given planning permission by a narrow margin but many councillors objected to the fact that nearby elderly residents may be disturbed by noisy students.

Martin Hawkins,owner of the furniture company, said: "We are in the process of looking at other sites at the moment. I need somewhere where I can get better access to the shop.

"Furniture used to be moved in Transit-type vans but nowadays it is great big articulated lorries which can't get along Totteridge Road easily."

When asked about the planning application, he said: "I think students and old age people get on very well. It is probably better having young people alongside older people because it helps rejuvenate the elderly people. Old people get very bored and lonely.

"It probably is an ideal site for the students. It is close to the railway station and within walking distance of the college.

"If there was loud music at two in the morning I am sure somebody would complain."

Mr Hawkins said: "If we can find alternative sites it will kill two birds with one stone."