THE major facelift set for Higginson Park could be radically changed as negotiations with town councillors continue, Wycombe District Council has revealed.

The council withdrew plans for the park from cabinet last month to allow time for talks with town councillors. This followed mounting pressure from town officials who claimed the £750,000 "Marlow Conservatory" design, chosen in a council survey, was not the way to develop the park.

And following initial meetings between Wycombe and Marlow Town council, it has been revealed that the design could indeed be changed to a greater or lesser degree, to take their considerations into account.

Town councillors have called for the focus to be on a refurbishment of the play area, the toilets and the footpath, instead of a massive spending plan.

Several of these items were also on the district's agenda, and it has said the park's caf should also be part of a possible refurbishment.

A spokesman for the district council said that while the extent of changes were unknown at this stage, cost estimates into the new ideas would now be looked at.

She said: "Further discussions between the councils will be taking place throughout the next few months. We feel quite sure that following further dialogue, an agreed final design proposal, which meets with all partners' objectives, will be arrived at."

The council said that while the previous proposal, which was based on a sweeping crescent of a pavilion, was the "preferred design" councillors agreed it was "rather too modern" for Higginson Park. It said although the redevelopment had been delayed, there was enough time built into the schedule to accommodate the latest talks.

County and town councillor Doug Anson welcomed the move.

He said: "I would hate to see the park changed where we cannot recognise it as our park. It is important that it stays the same while being improved."