“Strong interest” has been expressed in the site that was earmarked for Costco before the wholesale giant backtracked on plans for a new warehouse, it has been confirmed.

While Wycombe District Council could not confirm which organisations have shown interest in acquiring the site, Charles Brocklehurst, major projects and estates executive, said the plans would be “exciting for the town”.  

The site was bought by Costco when the company planned to open a new store there – but the chain has done a U-turn on the plans, instead deciding to focus on its current warehouses.

When asked by Cllr Sarfaraz Raja if the site could be re-allocated for housing, Mr Brocklehurst said: “The ex-Costco site is zoned employment and is a key site in our employment strategy.

“It has never been felt to be particularly suitable for any residential use. It is extremely windswept, it suffers noise from the motorway and the air quality is not particularly that good, so it would be pretty unfair to put residential up there.”