A REVIEW of the decision to move forward with Wycombe Air Park as the best site for the community stadium is over.

The 'call in' by Wycombe District Council's scrutiny committee is at an end after Cabinet members have agreed to stick with their original decision – despite being told the Green Belt case is still unproven.

Last night, the Cabinet considered The Improvement and Review Commission findings on the project for the air park in Booker, Great Marlow.

Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps would move to the new ground - with up to 20,000 seats – alongside a sports village.

Major concerns about overriding Green Belt policy and insufficient investigation of alternative split-site options were debated.

But after lengthy discussions Leader Cllr Lesley Clarke, Conservative, wrapped up the 'call in'.

“We have considered everything, we have taken it forward and we will be moving forward from here on,” she said.

“We will continue with the original decision.”

Commission chairman Cllr Alex Collingwood, Conservative, reiterated his previous statements, saying: “Cabinet does need to articulate and prove that the very special circumstances required to override Green Belt policy and AONB as the first test before proceeding.”

On investigating split-sites, he said: “Based on the information so far we haven't seen the evidence to show you have done so.”

He said the value to the economy as a whole had not been shown – and neither had a risk assessment on whether one or both clubs failed on the pitch or experienced financial trouble.

Only “nice pretty maps” and not the precise amount of land required for the whole development had been showed by officers, who had given his committee contradictory information, he added.

He said the 'net benefits' of £2.9m identified in a report assumed average gates of 16,000 per match for Wasps and 15,000 for Wanderers.

Speaking about the split-site alternative, Deputy Leader Cllr Tony Green, said: “There's a fundamental issue which means it doesn't work.

“That is that the clubs don't support the idea.

"To develop a stadium and sports village you have to have a potential developer/user to do that.”

He added it would be an “expensive option”.

But Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Steve Guy said: “Since when did Steve Hayes dictate council policy?”

Of the Green Belt issue, Cllr Green said: “We believe we have answered this in full. Ultimately a planning application is the only test and we believe we are well on the way to making this for a planning application.”

Cllr Roger Colomb, Conservative, added “in all probability” the plans would ultimately be called in to the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State.

Asked if there were any guarantees Wasps would remain at the site, Cllr Green said both clubs will “sign contracts with a long period of responsibility. There will be penalties if they break it.”

Cllr Colomb added: “One of the things that will keep the clubs there is that they will be making a big investment in the fit out of the stadium.

“The council will produce the core of the stadium on our end, but they will be responsible for the fit out in future they will have every reason to stay there to protect the investment they have made in the stadium.”

Cllr Green also said it was “unlikely” a primary school would be required as part of the 'enabling development'.

He said more people would attend games at a stadium with a better 'match-day experience' - therefore bringing more revenue into the town.

He said it was “difficult to put a financial figure” on what the stadium would generate but said there were 'soft' and 'hard' economic benefits.

He added that, personally, he is put off going to Wanderers games because of the difficulties in exiting the car park afterwards and believes others feel the same.

WDC confirmed this afternoon: “The original decision made by Cabinet on 17 January and amended by Cabinet on 7 February will now be actioned.

“As Cabinet has confirmed its decision and not changed it, then I&R cannot call this decision in again.”

More details from the meeting on the future of the air park and the Booker Gliding Club to come.