Campaigners against building on five rural greenfield areas across High Wycombe have hit back at MP Steve Baker for calling the decision “inescapable”.

On Saturday, Mr Baker told Micklefield residents that the council’s decision to release the sites – including nearby Gomm Valley – could be turned into a golden opportunity for the town.

He urged people not to think “negatively”, and to help shape development schemes to get the best deal for residents.

But Save Gomm Valley spokesman Ian Morton blasted the MP’s comments, saying there are no positives in “destroying” the areas for the sake of housing figures.

He said: “We’re disappointed our local Conservative MP who is supposed to represent us in Wycombe has taken the decision to side with the Marlow Conservatives running Wycombe District Council.

“There is no ‘good’ that can come from destroying one of the last dry valleys in the Chilterns.

“No ‘good’ that can come from creating more traffic for an already congested part of Wycombe. No ‘good’ that can come from damaging the habitats of local endangered wildlife.”

“No ‘good’ that can come from building houses that are not affordable to those in need in Wycombe.”

He added that an increase in Wycombe’s population would add even more pressure to Accident and Emergency services in the district.

Campaigns have sprung up across High Wycombe after Wycombe District Council’s announcement to release Slate Meadow, Gomm Valley, Terriers Farm and two Abbey Barn sites for development.

Mr Baker told residents at the Wycombe Conservatives’ public forum that he wants to see high quality, usable green spaces retained in the new reserve site plans.

But Mr Morton has slammed the planned council-run resident workshops on the sites as a “waste of money” after it was announced they would be chaired by councillors in favour of development.