FOLLOWING Monday night's dramatic decision to bin the community stadium, Wycombe MP Steve Baker gives his thoughts on the culmination of the saga.

"Alex Collingwood and Wycombe District Council’s cabinet have made a sound decision to stop exploring proposals for a new sports village.

Local democracy has worked: protestors against the plans have made their case and won.

This victory for democracy is good news in the context of the greater local freedoms, responsibilities and powers which the Government has promised under the Localism Bill, which is currently in the Lords. For example, instead of top-down, imposed housing targets, Councils will have greater planning freedoms and financial incentives to build.

This is just one reason why those for and against development will need to pay close attention to local government, right across the country.

Local Conservatives recently resolved to protect the green belt at our AGM and I am sure this will be well-received by local people.

Many sports enthusiasts will be disappointed that the Council has stopped these plans.

Steve Hayes has made a huge personal contribution to Wanderers and Wasps, bringing welcome business and entertainment to our town.

I know he will be massively disappointed by this decision.

It’s now for the two clubs to figure out their futures and I know thousands of people will wish them the very best.

Under the current law, too few councillors were able to vote on this decision.

Thankfully, the Localism Bill reforms the relevant rules on “predetermination” which have stifled debate and reduced the quality of local democracy.

The guide to the Localism Bill states: ‘The Localism Bill will make it clear that it is proper for councillors to play an active part in local discussions, and that they should not be liable to legal challenge as a result.

This will help them better represent their constituents and enrich local democratic debate.

People can elect their councillor confident in the knowledge that they will be able to act on the issues they care about and have campaigned on.’

It is my hope and belief that this Bill will resolve the ridiculous situation which prevented local councillors from voting on the key issue which mattered to their electors.

Finally, as I have always said, I am profoundly sceptical of entrepreneurship by government at any level.

It would be far better if in future commercial projects were brought forward to be judged under the planning process, with direct financial risks and rewards falling to investors, not taxpayers. "