A GREEN could be converted into an overflow car-park for The Rye this summer – a move described as “utter madness” by a councillor.

Wycombe District Council has written to residents to say Marsh Green will become a free temporary car-park for up to 28 days over the peak season.

Cllr Trevor Snaith said residents and fellow councillors were “up in arms” and said they would hold a protest on the green unless the council performs a U-turn on its plans for the open space in the conservation area.

He said: “You have to question some of the decisions made by the council and its cabinet – this is utterly ridiculous, utter madness.

“If it reaches the point where the council does not reverse its decision and doesn't apologise, we will be on the meadow with our ‘keep off the grass’ placards.

“It’s an ancient open space abutting the conservation area – not a car-park.”

The authority says the plan is to combat the traffic congestion experienced by visitors to The Rye and the Wycombe Rye Lido complex last summer.

WDC said in a statement: “Last summer The Rye was extremely popular and we received complaints from some local residents because there wasn’t enough parking on site to cope with the number of people visiting it.

“This year we are trying to find a helpful and straightforward way to make life easier and are consulting on putting in extra parking as a temporary measure.

“Overflow parking will help visitors manage where and how they park and help to keep the site safe for people visiting on foot.

“We have written to local residents inviting their views but if the suggestion proves unpopular, we won’t go ahead with the idea.”

The green is to the east of The Rye at the junction of Bassetsbury Lane with Keep Hill Road.