RESIDENTS are set to call a public vote on the Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers stadium next week.

Concerned householders have contacted Great Marlow Parish Councillor Jan Pritchard saying they want to carry out a 'parish poll' over the clubs' preferred site, Wycombe Air Park - situated in Booker, Great Marlow.

The little known referendum law was highlighted by development campaigner Mike Post, from The Marlow Group, this week.

It can be triggered by just ten residents at a parish council meeting.

But residents need to act quickly, with the results of Wycome District Council's consultation set to be announced next month.

The poll is on Great Marlow Parish Council's agenda for Thursday night's meeting.

Cllr Pritchard, who stepped down as chairman this year, urged householders to attend because only they, not councillors, can trigger it.

She hopes other parish councils like Lane End, where there has been uproar about the plan, will then follow suit.

She said: “ A number of residents have contacted me from Booker about the referendum and think it's a great idea. This is the area which it will have most effect upon.”

The former Labour parliamentary candidate said she hoped to see the same kind of “people power” shown in Marlow 2006 when an overwhelming majority voted against demolishing a family run funeral directors to allow Waitrose to expand.

“As far as the poll is concerned they do have a right to ignore it (Wycombe District Council) but equally I think they ignore it at their peril,” she said.

The ballot is paid for by the parish council and once called, the district council is under a statutory duty to run it.

But the result is not legally binding.

Great Marlow Parish Council has strongly objected to the plan on grounds of transport, infrastructure, loss of Green Belt and the fear important businesses will be forced off the site.

Cllr Pritchard, who is also planning coordinator at GASP - the recently assembled coalition against the stadium - strongly believes WDC should not be spending money on it.

Around £750,000 has been earmarked investigating the project.

WDC, which has repeatedly insisted it has not yet reached a conclusion about the site of the community stadium, despite the announcement by the clubs, is analysing the results of its consultation.

Club owner Steve Hayes has said he understand the “genuine concerns” of residents but asked them to remain open minded.

The clubs say they received strong community support.

For more information about the poll or the meeting at Bovingdon Village Hall on Thursday at 7pm either e-mail janet@jacinsa.com, greatmarlowpc@btinternet.com or call 01628 673423.

The meeting is open all members of the public.