JUST over two years ago I sent a letter to BFP Letters concerning the Wycombe Local Plan.

High Wycombe and Marlow Green Party had made 92 submissions and the responses up until then had been, "not within our remit" or "we're not changing the policy."

I have now managed, through the helpfulness of district council office staff in Marlow, to read the majority of the Inspector's Report on the Local Plan.

From what I have read, the inspector, Geoff Salter, has produced an excellent document with explanation and argument in concise and very understandable terms.

So, did any policies change? The simple answer is a few.

Mr Salter had to say "not within his remit" on some occasions, but sometimes thought our points were well put.

He took on board our concerns about the increased levels of water abstraction needed to provide for all the planned extra housing.

We were most pleased that he disagreed with the "Ashwells development" (in Wycombe), the "Waitrose supermarket on the Portlands site" (in Marlow) and the "decked car park" in Riley Road (Marlow).

The addition of a policy for taxi provision in Marlow was appreciated by us and hopefully by anyone stuck without transport.

Concerning "playing pitch provision" his recommendation was that the words "seek to" should be removed from the sentence, "The District Council will seek to maintain its current level of playing pitch provision" was again much appreciated.

All in all, we thought the report was very fair and addressed some of our concerns.

Unfortunately Mr Salter could not recommend our suggestions on solar panel provision for new houses, combined heat and power plants, alternative fuels for cars, measures to protect the rural economy, replacing wheely bins, etc., as they were outside his remit.

We hope Wycombe District Council will accept Mr Salter's report and take on board some of the High Wycombe and Marlow Green Party's suggestions.

In closing, may I wish a healthy and peaceful New Year to all letters page contributors, all BFP staff and especially the editor, Steve Cohen, who allows us to express our varied views.

John Laker

High Wycombe &

Marlow Green Party

January 24, 2003 11:00