Council report recommends approval of new Marlow FC stadium (From This Is Local London)

Council report recommends approval of new Marlow FC stadium

3:16pm Tuesday 24th February 2009 in News By James Nadal

Council report recommends approval of new Marlow FC stadium

COUNCIL officers have recommended approval of a major twin proposal for Marlow Football Club's stadium relocation, which would also mean 93 new homes in the heart of the town.

The long awaited decision on the plan for the 138 year old club to move its Oak Tree Road ground to the site at Little Marlow Gravel Pits will be taken by Wycombe District Councillors tomorrow evening.

The report of the head of planning and sustainability to the development control committee concludes that “Although the proposal (for the new stadium) brings with it an impact on the area, it is considered that the very special circumstances to justify this inappropriate green belt development are sufficient to clearly outweigh the harm by reason of inappropriateness or any other harm.”

Officers make the recommendation despite stating in the same document that the development is considered “inappropriate” and “would fail to safeguard the openness of the green belt, it would have a detrimental effect upon the rural character, quality and amenity of the area and would have an adverse impact on the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

On the proposal for the housing development at Marlow FC's current ground, the report states that "if implemented in conjunction with this planning application, the proposed development is considered to be acceptable."

Campaigners have joined together to oppose the plans, forming the Little Marlow Gravel Pits Community Partnership.

The group consist of residents, Little Marlow Parish Council, The Marlow Society, The Chiltern Society, Little Marlow Residents Association and Bucks Bird Club.

Marlow Town Council are also fervently against the housing plans for Oak Tree Road.

Residents are concerned about extra traffic and lack of parking spaces in the area.

Janet Pritchard, a former parliamentary candidate for the Labour party and chairman of Great Marlow Parish Council said the decision will test whether councillors have the “people of Marlow at heart.”

Mrs Pritchard, a former resident of Spring Gardens, located behind the Alfred Major Davis stadium, said that if the plans get the go ahead “it shows that the council doesn't represent the people and it represents big business.

“The council's job is to protect the local environment and the people.”

Councillors would “not be representing the people's needs” and the residents of Spring Gardens and Oak Tree Road would be “hit the hardest”, she said.