SPORTS clubs have joined forces to form a collation group to support plans for a sports village and “intrinsically linked community stadium”.

Wycombe Sports Village Group (WSVG) says it can “see the potential” of the scheme and is 'concerned negative publicity and pressure groups may overshadow the positive benefits a sports village would bring'.

National sports governing bodies could invest in the proposed scheme and early talks had already been held with Wycombe District Council and Wycombe Sports Development Ltd, the group revealed.

WSVG was created last week, with members including High Wycombe Hockey, Wycombe Badminton Centre and High Wycombe Cycling clubs.

But it stressed the group had not been set up to 'rival or stir' protest organisations such as GASP and 'fully understood the concerns of residents'.

Jeff Brydon, spokesman for WSVG and chair of Wycombe Badminton Centre, said: “The group shares the same vision of an all-encompassing, world class sporting facility and all the benefits it would undoubtedly bring to the area.

“But we are concerned that negative publicity and local pressure groups may overshadow the many positive benefits that combined sports in a sports village will bring to Wycombe and the community.

“We understand residents concerns but I think a lot of the concerns focus on the stadium and are taking away from the wider issue.

“And that is the great financial, social and sporting benefits a centralised, top class sports village would bring to High Wycombe and the area.”

WSVG said other clubs and sporting organisations had expressed an interest in joining the group. Those interested in joining should contact Colin James via c.james555@btinternet.com

Mike Brooks from Wycombe Sports Developments Ltd, the company set up by Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps to oversee the project, welcomed the group.

He said: “We have always maintained the benefits of a new 'community stadium' and sports village would be enormous and we are delighted so many sports organisations are recognising this.”

GASP said it is 'wholly sympathetic to the clubs' desire to see better facilities' but stressed 'it is impossible to speculate' whether a sports village would be “a better use of council funds than offering support to existing clubs in their local areas.”

The group added it would be “happy to work with any other groups to ensure that whatever the council eventually decides upon, it is for the benefit of the whole community”.

WDC will publish results of the public consultation in January.