BUSINESS leaders say they are being ignored and have warned that town planners will destroy Marlow unless people start listening to them.

Wycombe District Council came in for severe criticism at a meeting of the Marlow and District Chamber of Trade last month, because members felt the council was ignoring them.

Chamber member Colin Berks said: "People feel we are being ignored, particularly over the Waitrose issue."

A controversial plan for a 25,000 sq ft food store in West Street, Marlow, was refused planning permission by Wycombe district councillors at a meeting on September 12.

But residents and Marlow groups fear the plans could still be approved if the chain store appeals to the planning inspectorate.

Mr Berks added: "Wycombe District Council has conspicuously failed to consult with this community."

"If we are to avoid disaster, Wycombe has to start taking notice."

Martin Close, owner of Art Culture, in West Street, Marlow, said he feared the unique character of Marlow could be threatened by the Waitrose developments.

Mr Close warned: "There is a risk of Marlow collapsing in on itself because there is no one voice guiding what Marlow could be."

Marlow Community Forum chairman Rod Braybrooke objected to an instruction from the council not to attend the community forum meetings, downgrading them to a mere talking shop.

Members' comments were addressed to Mayuri Naker, Wycombe District's new business development and regeneration team leader. Mrs Naker said: "I am so impressed with how much people care about Marlow."

"I urge you to progress the health check as fast as you possibly can then people cannot ignore you.

"The Health Check could be your driving voice for Marlow."

A Health Check is a grass roots consultation process with rural communities and market towns to develop a town vision, which could make it eligible for South East England Development Agency grants.

Mrs Naker added: "I would probably agree with you about what has happened in the past."

"What I want you to do is look to the future. Marlow is already being listened to the Health Check is proof of that."