High Court battle won't delay £30m Wycombe sports centre

7:00am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By James Nadal

The present centre at Handy Cross The present centre at Handy Cross

A LEGAL battle between council chiefs and residents at the High Court will not delay the £30m Handy Cross sports centre revamp, officials say.

The Daws Hill Neighbourhood Forum is challenging Wycombe District Council before a judge later this month.

The newly formed residents' group is contesting the decision, taken by the Conservative controlled authority, to omit Handy Cross and the old Daws Hill RAF base from its remit.

The purpose of the forum is to give residents powers to shape their area and has come about through the Localism Act, a Conservative policy.

The council's own planning committee approved the sports centre plan in December and Secretary of State Eric Pickles has now confirmed he will not intervene.

The forum and the council will present their cases at the Royal Courts of Justice on February 21 in what is believed to be a groundbreaking case.

However, the sports centre redevelopment will continue, regardless of the outcome.

Council spokesman Sue Robinson said: "The Judicial Review is not about the planning applications which have properly gone through the planning system, but about the extent of a Daws Hill ‘neighbourhood area’.

"The JR will therefore not affect the programme for implementing the planning permission and in particular the building of the replacement Wycombe Sports & Leisure Centre.

"The planning process for the centre will be complete and construction will be committed well before any Neighbourhood Plan could be finalised."

A reserved matters application for the sports centre is expected to be made by the end of February and determined in May with a view to starting work on site by this Autumn, she said.

Plans for Handy Cross include a major new business park, which council bosses have identified as a crucial plank in their economic growth strategy, aiming to create 2,000 jobs in the district by 2016.

But officials stressed that the court case and any possible doubts arising from it are having no bearing on this or indeed on interest from firms considering ploughing in cash.

Mrs Robinson said: "We're continuing to get interest from potential investors who are looking at the 'big picture' and working to longer timescales."

Officials added it is uncertain how much the legal case will cost taxpayers - but admitted it will not be able to recoup the full amount.

Comments (10)

9:37am Tue 5 Feb 13

lady Ratz says...

£ 30 million on this,,, Care workers for the elderly have recently been told that they are to be made redundant . This is due to council cut backs???? .So a sports centre is more important than the care for our elderly,?? Some one needs shooting..
£ 30 million on this,,, Care workers for the elderly have recently been told that they are to be made redundant . This is due to council cut backs???? .So a sports centre is more important than the care for our elderly,?? Some one needs shooting.. lady Ratz

11:14am Tue 5 Feb 13

lady Ratz says...

Should have said the Care workers in question work for the council home care.
Should have said the Care workers in question work for the council home care. lady Ratz

12:45pm Tue 5 Feb 13

williamjames says...

Typical of the 'out of touch' planners and cabinet in WDC. Ignore the residents and press on regardless!
Typical of the 'out of touch' planners and cabinet in WDC. Ignore the residents and press on regardless! williamjames

1:37pm Tue 5 Feb 13

gpn01 says...

So a Hgh Court ruling won't have any bearing on the Sports Centre project? How interesting. Suppose that if the Department for Communities and Local Government decides to call in the proposal to relocate the running track to Little Marlow then that won't have any impact either? WDC could end up with a situation whereby they can't relocate the running track and that means that the proposal to sell of the land at Handy Cross could fall through....which means a shortfall in funding. So that's two areas that could threaten the proposed development. Begs the question of why does there have to be a new sports centre (oops, nearly said stadium), why does so much of the existing land need to be sold off and why does the running track need to be relocated. Is this going to be another case where residents would be more amicable if they felt they were properly consulted and informed and involved in the decision making. AND if someone could explain why Wycombe's sporting provisiion can't be delivered using the existing site and spending £30M on a new (smaller) building?
So a Hgh Court ruling won't have any bearing on the Sports Centre project? How interesting. Suppose that if the Department for Communities and Local Government decides to call in the proposal to relocate the running track to Little Marlow then that won't have any impact either? WDC could end up with a situation whereby they can't relocate the running track and that means that the proposal to sell of the land at Handy Cross could fall through....which means a shortfall in funding. So that's two areas that could threaten the proposed development. Begs the question of why does there have to be a new sports centre (oops, nearly said stadium), why does so much of the existing land need to be sold off and why does the running track need to be relocated. Is this going to be another case where residents would be more amicable if they felt they were properly consulted and informed and involved in the decision making. AND if someone could explain why Wycombe's sporting provisiion can't be delivered using the existing site and spending £30M on a new (smaller) building? gpn01

3:58pm Tue 5 Feb 13

townraider says...

gpn01 wrote:
So a Hgh Court ruling won't have any bearing on the Sports Centre project? How interesting. Suppose that if the Department for Communities and Local Government decides to call in the proposal to relocate the running track to Little Marlow then that won't have any impact either? WDC could end up with a situation whereby they can't relocate the running track and that means that the proposal to sell of the land at Handy Cross could fall through....which means a shortfall in funding. So that's two areas that could threaten the proposed development. Begs the question of why does there have to be a new sports centre (oops, nearly said stadium), why does so much of the existing land need to be sold off and why does the running track need to be relocated. Is this going to be another case where residents would be more amicable if they felt they were properly consulted and informed and involved in the decision making. AND if someone could explain why Wycombe's sporting provisiion can't be delivered using the existing site and spending £30M on a new (smaller) building?
Collingwood and his Tory cronies are making the same mistakes as the previous leaders of WDC.
Its time we got rid of the Tory stranglehold on our Town!
[quote][p][bold]gpn01[/bold] wrote: So a Hgh Court ruling won't have any bearing on the Sports Centre project? How interesting. Suppose that if the Department for Communities and Local Government decides to call in the proposal to relocate the running track to Little Marlow then that won't have any impact either? WDC could end up with a situation whereby they can't relocate the running track and that means that the proposal to sell of the land at Handy Cross could fall through....which means a shortfall in funding. So that's two areas that could threaten the proposed development. Begs the question of why does there have to be a new sports centre (oops, nearly said stadium), why does so much of the existing land need to be sold off and why does the running track need to be relocated. Is this going to be another case where residents would be more amicable if they felt they were properly consulted and informed and involved in the decision making. AND if someone could explain why Wycombe's sporting provisiion can't be delivered using the existing site and spending £30M on a new (smaller) building?[/p][/quote]Collingwood and his Tory cronies are making the same mistakes as the previous leaders of WDC. Its time we got rid of the Tory stranglehold on our Town! townraider

4:29pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Agniesca says...

With office blocks, a hotel, supermarket, a park and ride, a coach interchange and more traffic resulting from 400+ houses from the RAF Dawes Hill development ; how will Handy Cross roundabout cope with the increased traffic
With office blocks, a hotel, supermarket, a park and ride, a coach interchange and more traffic resulting from 400+ houses from the RAF Dawes Hill development ; how will Handy Cross roundabout cope with the increased traffic Agniesca

6:08pm Tue 5 Feb 13

DonRockell says...

gpn01 wrote:
So a Hgh Court ruling won't have any bearing on the Sports Centre project? How interesting. Suppose that if the Department for Communities and Local Government decides to call in the proposal to relocate the running track to Little Marlow then that won't have any impact either? WDC could end up with a situation whereby they can't relocate the running track and that means that the proposal to sell of the land at Handy Cross could fall through....which means a shortfall in funding. So that's two areas that could threaten the proposed development. Begs the question of why does there have to be a new sports centre (oops, nearly said stadium), why does so much of the existing land need to be sold off and why does the running track need to be relocated. Is this going to be another case where residents would be more amicable if they felt they were properly consulted and informed and involved in the decision making. AND if someone could explain why Wycombe's sporting provisiion can't be delivered using the existing site and spending £30M on a new (smaller) building?
AND if someone could explain why Wycombe's sporting provisiion can't be delivered using the existing site and spending £30M on a new (smaller) building?

That would be because they have already sold it off to the developer

And if anyone thinks the running track being moved to Little Marlow isn't for the profit of the current land owner - I bet he's already drawn up the plans to put workshops and an extension to the caravan park already

Anyway it all goes to show that the Law has little or no effect on those who don't need to pay the bills and In this case that would be Us the rate payer
[quote][p][bold]gpn01[/bold] wrote: So a Hgh Court ruling won't have any bearing on the Sports Centre project? How interesting. Suppose that if the Department for Communities and Local Government decides to call in the proposal to relocate the running track to Little Marlow then that won't have any impact either? WDC could end up with a situation whereby they can't relocate the running track and that means that the proposal to sell of the land at Handy Cross could fall through....which means a shortfall in funding. So that's two areas that could threaten the proposed development. Begs the question of why does there have to be a new sports centre (oops, nearly said stadium), why does so much of the existing land need to be sold off and why does the running track need to be relocated. Is this going to be another case where residents would be more amicable if they felt they were properly consulted and informed and involved in the decision making. AND if someone could explain why Wycombe's sporting provisiion can't be delivered using the existing site and spending £30M on a new (smaller) building?[/p][/quote]AND if someone could explain why Wycombe's sporting provisiion can't be delivered using the existing site and spending £30M on a new (smaller) building? That would be because they have already sold it off to the developer And if anyone thinks the running track being moved to Little Marlow isn't for the profit of the current land owner - I bet he's already drawn up the plans to put workshops and an extension to the caravan park already Anyway it all goes to show that the Law has little or no effect on those who don't need to pay the bills and In this case that would be Us the rate payer DonRockell

6:30pm Tue 5 Feb 13

gotanybiscuits? says...

Agniesca wrote:
With office blocks, a hotel, supermarket, a park and ride, a coach interchange and more traffic resulting from 400+ houses from the RAF Dawes Hill development ; how will Handy Cross roundabout cope with the increased traffic
Just us two who've noticed eh?
.
Anything goes, as long as it's "sport" related.
Blame the motorists.
.
£30m could surely be used for something worthwhile & lasting?
They could start by re-surfacing Daws Hill Lane.
It's 'sporting' to drive along there.
[quote][p][bold]Agniesca[/bold] wrote: With office blocks, a hotel, supermarket, a park and ride, a coach interchange and more traffic resulting from 400+ houses from the RAF Dawes Hill development ; how will Handy Cross roundabout cope with the increased traffic[/p][/quote]Just us two who've noticed eh? . Anything goes, as long as it's "sport" related. Blame the motorists. . £30m could surely be used for something worthwhile & lasting? They could start by re-surfacing Daws Hill Lane. It's 'sporting' to drive along there. gotanybiscuits?

9:45am Wed 6 Feb 13

KTinBucks says...

I see that there will be 36,000sqm of office space – enough for nearly 200 workers. Yet there are only parking spaces for 800 being provided!!!! Enjoy the gridlock!

Shame about all the existing commercial buildings being discarded around the town. Should not these be refurbished & re-marketed?

The hotel will have 150 rooms but only 40 car parking spaces. Where is the modelling to evidence that all these demands for parking at different times of the day can be managed? Nice concept – now prove it!

I note that the pollution levels at Handy Cross exceed those permitted. So we are to develop a major site attracting many people each day, to breath in toxins!!!!

The “food hall” (supermarket in anyone else’s language) is in breach of WDC’s own sequential development policy – there are sites closer to the town centre which are more suitable.

Oh, and assuming it goes ahead, which of the many existing town-centre supermarkets will be the first to close? My bet is Tesco at the Eden. What price new jobs for old?

And all this is described by WDC as a “Strategy”! Forgive me for being unimpressed.
I see that there will be 36,000sqm of office space – enough for nearly 200 workers. Yet there are only parking spaces for 800 being provided!!!! Enjoy the gridlock! Shame about all the existing commercial buildings being discarded around the town. Should not these be refurbished & re-marketed? The hotel will have 150 rooms but only 40 car parking spaces. Where is the modelling to evidence that all these demands for parking at different times of the day can be managed? Nice concept – now prove it! I note that the pollution levels at Handy Cross exceed those permitted. So we are to develop a major site attracting many people each day, to breath in toxins!!!! The “food hall” (supermarket in anyone else’s language) is in breach of WDC’s own sequential development policy – there are sites closer to the town centre which are more suitable. Oh, and assuming it goes ahead, which of the many existing town-centre supermarkets will be the first to close? My bet is Tesco at the Eden. What price new jobs for old? And all this is described by WDC as a “Strategy”! Forgive me for being unimpressed. KTinBucks

9:46am Wed 6 Feb 13

KTinBucks says...

Correction: "2000 workers" - with their cars!
Correction: "2000 workers" - with their cars! KTinBucks

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