DISSENTING councillors concerned over the community stadium should not be speaking out through the press, Leader Cllr Lesley Clarke says.

A number of Conservative councillors from Wycombe District Council and Buckinghamshire County Council have recently attacked plans for a ground at Wycombe Air Park, Booker, Great Marlow in the Free Press.

But Cllr Clarke said while she understood the worries of councillors whose wards are close to the site: “It's a shame they felt the only way they could do it was through the medium of the newspaper rather than talk to colleagues.

“That goes for all of them, Richard Pushman, Bob (Woollard).

"No one came to speak to Tony (Green, Deputy Leader)or I and I find that quite disappointing.”

She urged members: “Talk to Tony, me or anyone in cabinet but don't think they have got to talk to us by going through the press.”

Asked if there was significant unrest within Tory district council ranks she said:“Absolutely not, I think you have four or five out of nearly 50 (councillors).

“If you have a legitimate complaint and you haven't spoken to the person who can answer that then you have ask yourself - are they just trying to make mischief?”

She criticised Cllr Woollard, who has blasted numerous aspects of the plans, particularly on the Green Belt and the financial implications for County Hall.

Cllr Clarke said: “It sounded as though the county council didn't know at all what we were doing.

“So, I think he was just ill informed with what he said, not with all the facts.

“He has made his own mind up without listening to any of the benefits.”

She added the council were “at the very beginning of a long path” and will be speaking with the public.

Cllr Woollard, who has lived in the Marlow area since 1967, said the suggestion he was 'ill-informed' was “silly” and claimed it was “absolute rubbish” he should not be expressing his views through the media.

The four-times elected councillor said: “I'm representing an electorate of 6,000.

"I have an absolute right to speak out and I applaud others for speaking out on this particular subject.

“Tony Green and Lesley know it's my area, part of my electoral division, not theirs.

"They are not in rural seats.”

He said it would be a “recipe for dictatorship” if councillors were not able to voice their opinions.

Cllr Woollard also dismissed comparisons made by Cllr Green with Eden and the Swan theatre as “ludicrous” because it is “confusing urban with rural”.