More than 100 people flocked to Marlow yesterday evening to have their say on the potential 300 home plan for the town’s green belt during an impromptu meeting.

It was revealed in the draft Local Plan for the Wycombe District last month that a slice of land near Seymour Court Road is set to be removed from the greenbelt, and Oak Tree Road could also suffer as the council investigates developing the northern end of the road in to houses.

Since the revelation, 400 concerned Marlow residents have rallied together to join the Marlow Green Belt Action Group to campaign against the proposals.

And on Monday night Wycombe District Councillor Alex Collingwood held a meeting at Liston Hall in a bid to alleviate confusion and fears surrounding the plans.

While some of the crowd were wholly against building on the green belt, according to Cllr Collingwood, the majority were aware of the growing need for houses in the area.

The Marlow North and West ward councillor said while there is obvious need for housing – particularly for young people – the area of land proposed in the plan is the wrong one and he fears it will force Marlow and Marlow Bottom to merge together.

The impact the development will have on infrastructure including school places and the doctor’s surgery were the main hot topics up for discussion during the course of the evening.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Collingwood said: “People needed to have the chance to understand about what the plan is so they can make an informed decision.

“We have 300 houses in Marlow, Princes Risborough has to find 2,600 so it could be worse. We went through the plan in a nutshell and talked them through the different choices they would have.

“There was a group there which is totally against building on the green belt ever. The majority said they understand houses are needed for their children.

“It is 300 houses which is about 1,000 people – over the course of 15 years it is not that much year by year.”

There are other options available to meet the increasing need for housing, including merging Marlow Football and Rugby Clubs together and use the excess pitch space for homes according to Cllr Collingwood.

As Great Marlow’s expansion gets underway and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School celebrates the opening of its new sixth form block, he is confident that there is enough secondary provision - and the focus will need to be on the expansion of primary schools.

Residents have been encouraged to have their say on the proposals by Monday, August 8 and attend the consolation drop in session in Court Garden on Wednesday, July 20 between 2.30 and 8.30.