Hundreds of people have joined the fight against the potential development of Marlow’s greenbelt in to 300 homes, with campaigners urging residents to have their say on plans before it is too late.

The online petition ‘Save Marlow AONB and Greenbelt’ on change.org has accumulated 650 supporters and 500 people have joined the ‘Marlow Green Belt Action Group’ on Facebook.

This comes after the draft Local Plan was revealed by Wycombe District Council last month which plans to remove land near Seymour Court Road and Oak Tree Road out of the green belt for new homes.

Member of the action group, Martin Fessey, has urged residents to have their say before the consultation deadline on Monday, August 8.

He said: “We are getting a lot of support. The most important thing is people actually have their say on the plans because that is what Wycombe District Council will be looking at.

“I don’t expect everyone to object. But if people don’t respond it shows disinterest.

“The big thing that will affect the plans is public interest. If people don’t respond then the council will think people aren’t bothered which they would take as a positive reaction.”

Mr Fessey said the action group is also concerned that roads, parking and schools would not be able to support the increased population of Marlow if the housing plans did go ahead.

There are also fears that the potential development would result in Marlow and Marlow Bottom eventually being merged together.

When asked why the action group was opposed to the plans for Marlow, Mr Fessey said: “Firstly it’s AONB. There are clear government guidelines that say planning on green belt should be refused unless it is in exceptional circumstances.

“It is high quality greenbelt, because of preventing urban sprawl and the merging of Marlow and Marlow Bottom.

“Marlow Bottom is a community of its own, separate from Marlow and we want to keep it that way.”

More than 100 residents from across Marlow flocked to the drop in sessions at Court Gardens in yesterday afternoon to discuss their concerns about the draft Local Plan with district council officers.

Key concerns raised were over the use of AONB and green belt land for development.

A community meeting where residents can voice their opinions on the Local Plan and make alternative suggestions will take place on Saturday, July 30th at Great Marlow School on Bobmore Lane from 10am.