A MAJOR development and relief road for Beaconsfield took a step closer this week with the sale of the site which could see the construction of up to 300 new homes.

The Ministry of Defence has agreed to a deal with Inland Homes for Wilton Park, with the firm currently working with South Bucks District Council on plans for the 102-acre plot.

But a leading figure in the town has questioned the openness of the deal and claims alternative options should have been explored.

The park to the east of London End was earmarked in the council’s Core Strategy as a major mixed-use development site, with a public consultation on the site set for early next year.

Stephen Wicks, Chief Executive of Inland Homes, said: “We are delighted that the development of Wilton Park is moving closer to fruition.

“We look forward to the conclusion of the Development Brief and continuing consultation with the local community and all stakeholders to achieve an exemplary development of this very important site.”

Inland Homes intend to build the first section of a relief road for Beaconsfield Old Town, which will be accessed north of Pyebush roundabout, where it already owns land.

Beaconsfield firm Jansons Property tabled a rival bid for Wilton Park last month, proposing a different route further to the east.

But SBDC and Bucks County Council, the highways authority, insisted the route of the long mooted bypass should be accessed from Pyebush roundabout, putting Jansons’ plan out of contention.

Jansons is yet to comment over the announcement.

Beaconsfield Mayor Sandy Saunders has questioned the openness of the sale, claiming alternative options should have been considered.

Speaking before the sale was announced, he said: “It’s something I am very concerned about. The MoD are being given no choice but to go with Inland and there are people I’m aware of in Beaconsfield that want to challenge that situation, myself included.

“The stipulation fundamentally denies open competition for the site and means residents do not have any other options to consider and that raises questions.”

He added that looking at other options would be beneficial from the perspective of long term sustainability. But the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, which arranged the sale, insists the process was fair.

A spokesman said: “South Bucks District Council and Buckinghamshire County Council Highways have considered alternative access points.

"They have advised that the most appropriate highway access arrangements for the Wilton Park site would be via an additional northern arm off the Pyebush roundabout.

“DIO took professional advice which confirmed Inland as a special purchaser within the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) definition and sought appropriate approvals to undertake an off-market sale.”

SBDC were approached but declined to comment on the sale.

Residents’ group Wilton Park Watch, set up to monitor the plans, said the council had so far given a “deafening silence” when questioned about the sale.

Member Mike Elliott said: "Wilton Park Watch are pleased that the MOD have announced their current position on the sale and that now we can fully participate in detailed planning for the benefit of future and present residents of Beaconsfield.

“We hope for an open and truly participative planning process as the status of the Wilton Park site evolves."