A COUNCIL chief said she 'was just as surprised as anyone' on seeing an advert placed for a stadium project manager by Wycombe Sports Developments Ltd.

Wycombe District Council leader Cllr Lesley Clarke said the authority had not been notified by WSDL that the recruitment process had been launched and initially thought the advert “was a wind up”.

Protest group GASP, Groups Against Stadium Proposals, criticised the timing of the job advertisement, calling the recruitment process premature.

The project manager role has appeared on a host of recruitment firms' websites.

The manager would be responsible for moving the stadium plan on to the next stage, including the submission of any planning application, the advert states.

The successful applicant would command a salary of between £55,000-£80,000 - this would be entirely paid for by WSDL.

Cllr Clarke said: “We knew WSDL have work to do and they have got to get the right people on board but I must admit I was surprised to see it [advert] as anyone.

“We weren't told in the council it was going on, I thought it was a wind up to start with, so I was as shocked as everyone.

“I can understand what they are doing, however, I have asked for the reason it is advertised as the Wycombe Stadium Project because it is like a red-rag to a bull.

“But maybe it is also showing they are prepared to put some money in, as they have much work to do and have to prove the project is viable.”

GASP's Keith Francis believes the hunt for a stadium project manager shows WSDL is “pre-empting the council” and “comes across as if it is a done deal”.

WSDL's Mike Brooks told the BFP on Wednesday: “As the stadium and sports village project moves into the next site specific stages, WSDL is looking to strengthen the team working on the project.

“In January we said that over the coming months we will be working hard on designs, further investigative work and business plans to advance the case for Booker. This is just the sort of work that a new stadium project manager will do.

“They will also play an integral role in future comprehensive consultation and in time submitting a full planning application on behalf of WSDL for a community stadium and sports village at Booker.”