A WATER feature could make a surprise return to troubled Frogmoor.

A scheme which could see the dilapidated area of High Wycombe town centre revitalised has been allocated £70,000 from the projected £230,000 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding pot.

A project to overhaul The Pastures Church and a feasibility study looking into a cafe and toilets on The Rye has received a cash boost.

The High Wycombe Town Committee also decided on Tuesday night that plans to refurbish the Guildhall and potentially re-open the Paul’s Row public toilets should receive a chunk of the CIL cash.

But it is the potential plans for Frogmoor which could cause the biggest stir.

The aim of the project is to ‘reanimate Frogmoor, which may include the enabling of pop-up shops, outdoor activities and a water feature’ as well as work to establish a cafe in the area, council papers state.

Additional cash would be required - with a further £150,000 S106 developer funds already allocated to the proposals.

The idea of a water feature – following the failure of previous schemes – received mixed reactions from committee members.

Cllr Ray Farmer said: “Anything that can be done on Frogmoor should be welcomed, as it is an absolute disgrace.

“Eastern European residents bring their relatives to Frogmoor as it reminds them of the old Soviet Union.

“We shouldn’t be put off on a water feature - we were unlucky with the previous water fountain for a number of reasons.”

But Cllr Ian Bates said: “I would have thought past experiences would make us shy [to the idea of a water fountain] as some people’s reputations came out a little tarnished [by the last fountain].”

The committee allocated £30,000 to investigate the feasibility of a redeveloped cafe and toilets on The Rye. The overall project could cost between £200,000 and £450,000.

A scheme to potentially re-open the Paul’s Row public toilets – which were closed in 2013 due to ‘vandalism and unscrupulous behaviour’ – was handed £30,000. It could be a coin-operated facility to increase security and to provide an income to cover maintenance costs.

A £5,000 slice of the CIL cake will be set aside towards the possible upgrade of the Guildhall for greater community use, with £15,000 set aside for new community notice boards throughout the town.

A plan to install a fire escape hatch in a building adjacent to the Kingsmead Recreation Ground was allocated £10,000, with £20,000 earmarked for a study looking at the mooted extension of the changing rooms at the Shelley Road playing fields.

Ambitious proposals to transform The Pastures Church into a flexible building for the community – including a cafe, offices, a games room and covered outdoor play area – was originally handed £20,000.

But following a plea by Cllr Khalil Ahmed to members, a further £30,000 will be put towards the Heart of the Community project.

Community groups were urged to submit their schemes for consideration by the CIL working group, which decided the projects that should be put before the committee for consideration.

The town committee’s recommendations will be put before Wycombe District Council’s Cabinet in February for ratification.

The £230,000 pot for projects to be implemented in the 2015/16 financial year is a 15 percent share of the CIL money received from developments within the unparished area of High Wycombe.

What do you think about the proposed schemes?

Should a water feature be added to Frogmoor? Would you use a cafe on The Rye? Leave your comments below.