THE proposed community stadium for Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps has “dubious benefits and distinct disbenefits” for the rest of the district outside High Wycombe, a Marlow trade body claims.

Marlow and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, representing over 100 businesses, say Adams Park should be redeveloped rather than building a new ground, and questions the 'financial viability' of the plan.

Bosses behind the move dismissed the chamber's comments, insisting redevelopment was not an option.

In a statement expressing the clubs' 'disappointment' and 'surprise', Wycombe Sports Development Limited say not moving “risks a spiral of decline”.

The clubs' preferred site of Wycombe Air Park is sited in Booker, Great Marlow.

Paul Deriaz, planning and transport spokesman for the chamber said, in a letter to council bosses, it should be “a prerequsite of WSDL” to demonstrate what improvements could be made to Adams Park.

“Merely to claim it is inadequate for their joint requirements is insufficient,” he said.

He said: “The present proposals seem to focus on and therefore benefit High Wycombe and its immediate surrounding area with dubious benefits and distinct disbenefits for the rest of the district, notably in the increasing traffic congestion, detrimental impact on existing local businesses and the inappropriate intrusion into greenbelt areas.”

WSDL said it had received “tremendous” community support and was surprised by the chamber's conclusions.

A statement read:“We have no idea how they can form the view that suitable improvements can be made to Adams Park when there are obvious site constraints, no additional land and just one access road.

“If there were such easy solutions we would have done them by now to maximise our commercial and other income.

“Likewise they appear to question the business benefits of significant new investment into the town, despite the fact that this would clearly create jobs and economic activity of benefit to existing businesses.

“All we have asked for now is that people retain an open mind while this is explored further.  "To rule out a scheme with such obvious potential to benefit young people and create fantastic facilities for a whole District would be a great mistake.

“Since we simply cannot create the modern facilities required at Adams Park, the alterative risks a spiral of decline, with Wasps leaving the area which would also put Wycombe Wanderers FC in an even more difficult financial position.”

Wycombe District Council, which has pledged cash to help the project, has undertaken a public consultation, is now analysing the result and will be considered in January.

Frequently asked questions are addressed at www.wycombe.gov.uk.