OPEN letter to Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe. Re: Proposed new stadium and sports village at Wycombe Air Park.

WE write as concerned members of the public over the proposed new stadium at Wycombe Air Park. I am sure you are very aware that there is a large number of your constituency who are against the plans and angry about the way the Wycombe District Council (WDC) is handling this matter.

Our main concerns are the environmental issues this proposal will cause. The land is adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and, according to The Chilterns Conservation Board, fulfils the criteria of being AONB.

However, I understand that because of an historical MoD directive, AONB was not conferred on the airpark. The site is on the edge of High Wycombe, lying at a high spot in the Chiltern Hills.

- If the stadium is full there will be an increase of 5000-10000 cars coming to the site, possibly every week. The increase in traffic will inevitably increase CO2 emissions.

- There will be a substantial increase in noise which will affect the wellbeing of not only humans but all surrounding wildlife.

- The area is Green Belt and adjacent to AONB and two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), home to various wildlife including bats, rare butterflies and orchids.

- 200 acres (equivalent to 100 football pitches) of countryside would be lost under concrete.

- The site is very high in the Chiltern Hills and there is a belief that the stadium may be seen from as far away as Reading. It will therefore not only ruin the local residents’ view of the countryside, but also that of many people living quite a distance away.

- This area of the Chilterns is walked every day by thousands of people who enjoy its beauty. This amenity will be taken away from them.

- No plans have been made for the infrastructure to support such a development.

WDC is proposing to support and part-fund the project through substantial ‘enabling development’, i.e. selling off land owned by WDC for housing development.

The project will cost tens of millions of pounds. WDC has already spent over £300,000 of Council Tax money on a feasibility study and public consultation.

There is huge local concern regarding the manner in which WDC has acted.

The public consultation was flawed, with an insufficient time-span of only six weeks. There is a belief that WDC has already decided that this plan will go ahead despite the concerns of the local community.

WDC states that 71% of people are in favour of the stadium, but regular local polls have indicated that about 80% of local people are against the stadium, for several reasons.

We appreciate that as an MP you have no authority over this matter.

However we think it would be very helpful to all concerned if you could at least let the electorate know whether or not you support the plans for the new stadium. If you do agree with the stadium proposal then we recognise you cannot support us.

However, if you do not support the plans then we think it is reasonable for you to let WDC and the general public know.

We have lived in Lane End for 30 years and have never known a situation cause so much anger and frustration as this. There is a general feeling that we are being treated badly by WDC.

We think that you, as our MP have a duty to support the very people who elected you to represent us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Dr Nigel Bacon, Mrs Anna Bacon, Lane End