A debate on the future of the Bucks countryside will take place in the county next week.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) – a membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England – is holding its first Buckinghamshire debate in Aylesbury on 14 April.

The focus of the debate is the potential conflict between the demand for better infrastructure and new housing and the needs of the countryside.

On the agenda will be transport projects and waste management, as well as the impact of major housing developments on the countryside and whether it is possible to balance these economic and environmental priorities.

The speaker panel includes representatives from the Environment Agency and the Chilterns AONB Conservation Board as well as a leading property developer.

Christopher Anstey, Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Branch of the CLA, said: “Buckinghamshire is facing significant challenges in meeting increasing demands for new housing and planned infrastructure projects such as HS2 without sacrificing landscape and livelihoods of landowners and rural businesses.

“This event will highlight the issues and look at whether it is possible to achieve a satisfactory balance between these competing demands.”

The CLA debate, which is supported by Handelsbanken and Knight Frank, is free to attend, but all places must be booked in advance.

The speaker panel features Howard Davidson, (Environment Agency), Sue Holden (Chilterns AONB Conservation Board), Miff Chichester (St Congar Properties), James Del Mar (Knight Frank) and Paul Wormald (Peter Brett Associates).

To reserve a place or for more information, call the CLA South East office on 01264 313434 or visit www.cla.org.uk and search for the Buckinghamshire Debate.