Concerns over the cost of a major car park extension in Gerrards Cross led to the development being put hold until further scrutiny can take place.

Last week it was announced any plans to push forward with the controversial Station Road multi-storey scheme were put on hold after councillors raised concerns over the development.

A report published by South Bucks District Council states councillors Santokh Chhokar, Dev Dhillon, Barry Harding, Roger Reed and George Sandy joined together and called for the plans to be hauled in front of the overview and scrutiny panel for further discussion.

The councillors have questioned whether the car park “is a good use of taxpayers’ money” and raised concerns the consultation with residents was not satisfactory.

The move came after SBDC’s cabinet agreed to approve the final business case for the car park, delay the construction date by a year and increase the overall cost to £13.051 million during a meeting on October 17.

The council report stated: “Concerns regarding the business case [for the Station Road car park] which were discussed recently at the Resources Policy Advisory Group on 25 September 2018.

“Two members at this meeting expressed concern over the assumptions of usage and consequently whether this scheme was a good use of taxpayer’s money.

“Concerns regarding the amount of money being borrowed for the Project and the risks associated with this, should be considered by the overview and scrutiny committee, particularly bearing in mind the possibility of local government reorganisation.

“[There were] concerns that the full details of alternative schemes and options have not been fully considered by members and the reasons for rejecting them.”

Cllr Barry Harding says he feels the cabinet “rushed” to approve the car park extension before plans to replace the district councils in Bucks with a unitary authority were implemented.

An “extraordinary meeting” of SBDC’s overview and scrutiny committee will be held on Thursday to discuss the plans.

Under SBDC rules five members of the council are able to stop any decision made by the cabinet from being implemented until it is discussed by the committee – if they provide a valid reason.

During Thursday’s meeting the committee will decide either to back the cabinet’s decision, or refer the issue back to council chiefs for reconsideration.

Furious Gerrards Cross residents have previously raised concerns the cost of the car park is spiralling, and called for another consultation on plans to be carried out.