PROTESTERS have merged together to form a coalition group to fight controversial plans for a new 'community stadium' in Booker and Abbey Barn South.

Groups Against the Stadium Proposals (GASP) was officially formed on Monday and is currently comprised of 16 associations, parish councils and interested groups.

The campaign coalition, which represents about 13,000 members, states that while each group has “individual agendas”, they share the same 'ultimate aim of preventing the stadium'.

It says it “bares no ill intent” towards Wycombe Wanderers or London Wasps and pledged to help the clubs find ways to improve their current home at Adams Park.

The clubs announced Wycombe Air Park was their preferred site for a 17,500-20,000 seater stadium and sports village.

Wycombe District Council has backed proposals for a stadium and sent it out to public consultation, which 8,500 people responded to. Results are due in January.

GASP member Keith Francis said: “There were a lot of groups expressing that they were fundamentally against the stadium and it was felt we needed to bring everyone together to ensure that we don't get picked off individually.

“Individual groups will continue to campaign for their own benefits, but as a group we are working together and saying 'no to a stadium', everything should stay where it is as we don't believe there is any need for the project”.

Each group has supplied representatives to work on the GASP project, with those then split into specialist teams – ranging from planning experts to political hot-shots – pulling together to “expose flaws in the project”.

Mr Francis, who is chairman of the Booker Memorial Hall where the coalition will meet, said the door is open for other groups to join the campaign.

He said: “We are getting groups coming to us continuously all the time and any groups or individuals that are interested in joining should get in touch.

“I hope not to tempt fate, but we are very confident we can prevent the plans, as we believe there are flaws in various aspects of the project, and having got everyone together, I now believe we have a very good chance.”

Mike Brooks from Wycombe Sports Developments Ltd, the company set up to oversee the stadium project, was confident they could address the group's concerns.

He said: “We are aware there are some groups currently opposed to a new stadium but we believe that we can address the vast majority of people’s concerns and that it is way too early to be adopting rigid positions.

“The benefits of a new stadium and sports village are clear. It can deliver exceptional sports and educational facilities and bring substantial inward investment into the district.

“It would secure the futures of both clubs and create modern new facilities of which local people would be proud. To rule out these benefits before any plans have even been shown would be damaging to Wycombe.

“The alternative would be stagnation and decline at Adams Park, with Wasps likely to leave the area altogether.

“As I have said before, these plans are still at a very early stage and I simply ask that people retain an open mind.”

The full list of current GASP members is below:

1.The Marlow Society

2.The Chiltern Society

3.Flackwell Heath Residents Association

4.Claymoor Park Residents Association

5.Booker Gliding Club

6.Booker Common & Woods Protection Society

7.High Wycombe & District Rifle & Pistol Club

8.Great Marlow Parish Council

9.Valley Plus (Marlow Bottom OPAG)

10.Chiltern Conservation Board

11.Little Marlow Parish Council

12.Marlow Bottom Residents Association / Parish Council

13. Notbackingbooker website

14.The Link community magazine

15.Lane End Action Group

16. NotoBooker.com