A landowner in Marlow whose fields lie in the path of a multi-million pound flood defence project has cast doubt on the future of the scheme.

Rob Marsh, MD of Harleyford Properties, says he has heard nothing from the Environment Agency over the £7m plan for more than two and a half years.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss announced last month that the construction on the project to build flood walls and containment lakes to protect nearly 300 homes would begin next year.

And although the EA would need to purchase Low Grounds Farm at Harleyford to build the defences, Mr Marsh says the owners have not been approached for a deal.

And after the farm won its appeal to build polo pitches on the farm, the businessman says the EA will need to fork out far more for the land, previously earmarked for farming.

He said: “Everyone talks about it getting done now the funding is in place.

“We have not been contacted by the Environment Agency for two and a half years, there’s no agreement in place.

“We have not been approached by the EA but everyone talks like it going ahead. They would have to come to us to come to some sort of agreement which would take 12 months.

“But they’re now talking about the value of a working polo pitch which is a different ball park. They say they have got the funding but they didn’t take that into account.”

Mr Marsh said that he believes neighbouring properties are also yet to be contacted over the sale of their land for the scheme, given the green light after a long delay while funding was secured.

The EA is able to use compulsory purchase powers to buy land, but must compensate owners based on open market value under the Land Compensation Act.

Mr Marsh believes that the farm’s use as a practice polo centre – turned over on appeal after a drawn-out planning battle - will boost its market value considerably.

The £7m project to construct flood walls, containment areas and pumping stations along the Pound Lane and Gossmore areas was finally agreed last year.

Low Grounds Farm, which lies south off Henley Road, is included in the EA drawings for the scheme.

Planning permission was granted by Wycombe District Council in 2010, with authorities working to iron out planning conditions before it expires in June.

Mrs Truss said construction is due to start in 2016 and set to last a year.

The EA refused to comment on the funding allocation and whether the change in circumstances at the farm would affect delivery of the plan.

The government agency said it is currently working hard to complete the pre-planning conditions with WDC before deals are reached with landowners.

Spokesman Freya Dean said: “Planning approval for the Marlow Flood Alleviation Scheme was granted by Wycombe District Council in June 2010.

"The Lower Pound Lane storage area forms part of the approved scheme. We are working to discharge the pre-commencement planning conditions before June to implement the planning permission so we are able to start building the scheme.

“We will be talking with landowners after we have implemented the planning permission.”