WASPS Rugby Club would have no future in High Wycombe if controversial plans for a new stadium and sports complex are not built, it was claimed last night.

The planned sports village, which would be built on Green Belt land at Booker if given the go-ahead, would be a “solution to securing the future of professional sport in Wycombe for the next 125 years”, Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers owner Steve Hayes said at a briefing at Adams Park.

Mr Hayes and Mike Brooks of Wycombe Sporting Development Limited, who are behind the development, said staying at Adams Park was not sustainable for either club.

Mr Brooks said: “If this isn’t supported I personally don’t see a future for Wasps here.

"They will be forced to go elsewhere to create financial sustainability for themselves.

"That leaves Wycombe in a more unsustainable situation than it is today.”

Mr Hayes said: “If this club is to get into the Championship we’ve got to move and this is the answer.

"I see it as a reason to help Wycombe Wanderers to be sustainable.”

He originally had a five-year plan to get Wanderers into the second tier of English football and admitted:

“I was naive in thinking you’d spend your money and get there.

"It needs to be more sustainable.

"I can’t keep putting in money year after year for the next 50 years.”

Mr Brooks added: “Adams Park cannot be sustainable in the situation we are in if we’ve got any aspirations of playing in the professional echelons.”

The plans for a 17,500 capacity ground for both clubs and new state-of-the-art facilities for a number of other sports have caused controversy as it would be built on Green Belt land.

Fans questioned the use of Green Belt land but Mr Brooks said: “We feel we have a very strong case for very special circumstances.

"We would frame our arguments around three or four key areas: "Expansion of community facilities and £125million would be delivered back to the people of High Wycombe district over a 25 year period.

“The sustainability of professional sport in High Wycombe is a very special circumstance.”

He added it “comes down to the benefits outweighing the disbenefits”.

Supporters had also questioned projected figures Wanderers would attract average crowds of 8,000 once they had moved to any planned stadium.

Mr Brooks said there had been, on average, a 40 per cent increase in crowds at new stadiums built since the 1980s and attendance levels had remained constant thereafter.

But one fan said “for every Brighton there’s a Darlington” – a reference to the fact the Conference side average crowds of around 2,000 in a ground with a 27,500 capacity.

Mr Brooks said there “would be a lot more environmental impact work” carried out and further consultation with people living in Claymoor Park before any planning application was made.

He added there were “no safety concerns whatsoever” over the site’s proximity to the Air Park.

He also told supporters there is an “international search for funding” taking place and WSDL is “having meaningful conversations” with potential investors.