Alternative plans for the Cressex Island site following Costco’s shock U-turn to open a new warehouse there could be progressed in a “relatively short space of time” – amid claims from the council that there has been huge interest from businesses. 

Residents who had been anticipating the arrival of the wholesale chain to High Wycombe were left shocked after the company revealed it had decided against opening a new store in the town and would instead focus on its existing locations – even though it had been given the backing of Wycombe District Council (WDC). 

Asking Cllr Steve Broadbent, who is responsible for economic development and regeneration, for an update on the Cressex Island site, town mayor Cllr Brian Pearce highlighted how it was a “great disappointment” that Costco had withdrawn their plans. 

The site – which lies close to the M40 – is unsuitable for housing due to noise, pollution and how “windswept” it is and is one of the few pieces of land still owned by WDC that has “significant job-creating potential”, Cllr Broadbent said. 

While explaining it would be “premature” to comment on specific plans for the site at the moment, he said there has been a lot of interest from businesses who would potentially like to move there. 

He said: “It is a prime site and concept plans are already underway for alternative potential commercial usage that would improve the town. 

“The proposals do still need to be tested against planning policies and highways capacity and to be soft market tested before the council seeks a development partner by means of a competitive commercial process. 

“It would be premature to expand upon specific proposals at this stage, save to say that the level of unsolicited interest already received is such that I expect attractive and revised options for the site to be secured and ready to progress in a relatively short space of time.”