Major plans for a new country park in Stoke Poges, which include cycling tracks and running trails, have been formally submitted to the council.

South Bucks District Council’s (SBDC) proposals aim to transform the former golf academy site into a park which will be open to the public all year, with a range of recreational facilities.

Plans include an enclosed national standard cycling track, a mountain bike track, gym equipment, a sensory garden as well as walking and jogging trails.

If the proposals are given the green light, a community hub with a café, cycle shop, toilets and meeting room will be built in the car park.

A children’s play area is also set to be built next to the café.

The development forms part of SBDC’s community and wellbeing plan, which aims to encourage residents to exercise and take park in outdoor activities.

A public consultation was carried out in the area which included open afternoons and online questionnaires, while meetings with sports groups and societies revealed “strong support” for the proposals, according to SBDC.

Members of the public are urged to comment on the application during the consultation.

Leader of SBDC, Nick Naylor, said: “We are really excited about the possibility of this area becoming a country park and heartened to see that local residents support the idea.

“The consultation revealed a clear demand for enhancing sport and exercise opportunities in the area, as well as a considerable interest in protecting the environment, wildlife habitats and biodiversity.

“All this has been incorporated by the scheme designers into the site plans for the new country park and I am delighted to say that we have now submitted the formal planning application.

“We are one step closer to achieving our vision of a place where everyone can come to relax, exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.”

According to SBDC the layout has been designed to “maintain extensive areas of the site” in order to protect wildlife and biodiversity.

If plans are approved, work on the development is expected to start later this year and the park will be open to the public in 2020.