TODAY the BFP presents statements from the company driving forward the plan for a stadium and sports village for Booker, and the group spearheading the opposition to the proposals.

Mike Brooks, CEO of Wycombe Sports Developments Limited.

It’s been a busy week. Since launching our plans for the Wycombe Sporting Village to the new Council on June 28, we have met with a number of local groups.

So far we have talked to over 300 people to discuss our plans for the Booker Air Park site. In each meeting we have answered a wide variety of questions, with a great deal on interest around traffic and access to the site.

We have been able to tell people about the multiple access points we’re planning to ensure smooth access on and off the site. We’re posting the questions and answers from the sessions on our website to make sure people have the facts.

What has been heartening in all of the meetings is the genuine level of interest and enthusiasm from our audiences.

Let me give you one example. On Monday, a gentleman called Alan came up to me at the end of the meeting. He told me he had lived in High Wycombe for 47 years. “These plans are the best thing to happen in Wycombe for a long time“, he told me, “this is something I want to see happen for my children and my grandchildren”.

Alan isn’t alone in this view. Many people share his excitement about the plans. They’re excited about the world class sporting and leisure facilities that the Sporting Village will offer.

They’re excited about the new jobs and investment the Sporting Village will bring, and the fresh opportunities for local businesses. They’re excited about coming to watch sport in an iconic stadium that is recognised around the world as cutting edge.

Above all, people are excited about the Sporting Village being a new destination for Wycombe. A place where families can come and relax, socialise and have fun. A place where people can learn new skills, develop their talents and pursue their interests. A place where a new community spirit built on sporting values of respect, endeavour, team work and fair play can grow.

So, it’s been a busy week but the people I’ve met have made it a tremendously rewarding one.

We are planning to hold public events next week. You are invited to come and hear the facts and ask any questions you have. To find out more about how to attend visit www.wycombesportingvillage.com

Gary Nuttal, the chairman of GASP (Groups Against Stadium Proposals).

Following headlines about detailed plans for a rugby & football stadium and possible sports village, it was disappointing to see that the WSDL advertisement contained only an artist’s impression of how a stadium could look and didn’t provide anything of substance.

Much emphasis was placed on answering mythical questions that hadn’t even been asked and it’s a pity that the questions that ARE being asked – like who will pay for the facilities, where will all the new fans come from, has WSDL secured the necessary financing, what money is the Council expected to provide, how much money will the Clubs be contributing, etc. aren’t being given the response they deserve.

GASP looks forward to the publication of the Strategic Business Case as this is expected to include answers to the questions that the community IS asking.

It is hoped that this will provide a reasoned and evidence rather than hyperbole based business case and proof that financial backing has been secured.

The Clubs are, at a very late stage, beginning to contact businesses, etc. in order to bolster support for their proposal. Feedback to date however suggests that much of the rationale behind a new stadium is based on the Field of Dreams belief of “build it and they will come” rather than providing a case that will stand up to scrutiny.

If this appeared on Dragon’s Den, what do you think would be the response?

Check back on the BFP website later today for a statement on the stadium and sporting village plan from the Wycombe Wanderers Trust.