ANXIOUS residents have expressed their concern at an internationally renowned open air concert ruining their village idyll.

Garsington Opera wants to move to Wormsley Estate, Stokenchurch for the 2011 season after their lease ran out at Garsington Manor near Oxford.

They are seeking planning permission for the development of a “summer operatic festival” with an approximate audience capacity of 600 for 24 events each year in June and July.

At an extra-ordinary meeting of Hambleden Parish Council in Skirmett last night residents expressed concerns about extra traffic in the Hambleden Valley.

Jessica Eve from Fingest said although audience members would be told to use the M40 access people would use sat navs which would take them through the valley.

Paul Hollard from Fingest said people coming from the south of the estate would drive through the valley and “Fingest will get it every single time.”

There were also concerns that there would be access allowed via Holloway Lane which they said is not appropriate for large volumes of traffic.

Stokenchurch Parish Council has expressed no objection to the planning application while Turville Parish Council and Ibstone Parish council have both objected to the plans because of traffic and the impact on the villages.

Chairman Tom Nixey said residents are divided with some in favour and some worried about the increase in traffic.

He said: “I have heard concerns mainly about our lanes being used and the extra traffic on them. I am sure we can formulate a response.”

He said noise will probably not be a problem for “us in the Hambleden Valley” as “we are too far away.”

Cllr Susan Walker said: “I think we should say that in principle we are supporting having the cultural venue of Garsington Opera in the area. I think it is a wonderful thing.”

In response the parish council said it does not object to the use of Wormsley Estate but asked for a three year period, not the 15 years organisers requested, with a review at the end.

It said Holloway Lane should only be used as an emergency exit and there should be signs for a clear route discouraging people from travelling through the Hambleden Valley.

It said access should be by the M40, with no right turn when people exit after the opera.