RESIDENTS have welcomed plans for a new sports stadium - if it means the end for Wycombe Air Park.

Wycombe District Council announced last week that the site in Booker, Marlow, is being considered as a location for a replacement stadium for Adams Park where Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps play.

Householders who live under flight paths from the site are aggrieved at increasingly 'noisy' aircraft.

Lane End resident Susan Pratt, spokeswoman for Wycombe Air Park Action Group, said: "It could be ideally located. I hope that it would mean an end to the air park in favour of a sports village and other facilities that would benefit the whole community."

She said the stadium proposal would now be at the centre of the group's campaign for change:"We'll do anything we can to support Wycombe District Council to find an alternative to the site."

Peter Jennings, of Finings Road, Lane End said: " As far as I'm concerned I would sooner have a football club than an air park. I don't think the football would be disruptive, it's only every two weeks."

Richard Wetenhall, 46, of Church Road, Lane End, said: "If both are located there then there will be even more congestion and I would worry about road access.

"However, if some kind of sensible, balanced solution could be found it has to be a good overall for Wycombe."

WDC leader Lesley Clarke said the council was unable to give say at this stage whether the move would spell the end for the Air Park.

WDC Spokeswoman Becky Wotherspoon said: "London Wasps, Wycombe Wanderers and Wycombe District Council have agreed to work together on a six-month feasibility study of the Air Park site.

"This study will involve looking at the practicalities of continued Air Park operations alongside a new stadium, access issues and how any scheme could be funded.

She added: "We would like to stress that we are at a very early stage in this process and our first step will be to carry out a feasibility study of the site."

There will be a budget of £250,000 for the first stage of the project.

Tim Orchard, managing director of the air park, said he knew no more about the proposal than what was in the council's statement.

Fans of the two teams have reacted positively to the suggested location.

Wanderers supporter Richard Vere, 21, an Essex University student from Marlow said: " I think it's good to move away from Adams Park because parking is a nightmare, especially when the weather is bad.

"The air park has got better access roads and is closer to the motorway."

Wycombe Wanderers Supporters Trust said it did not want to comment until more details were released.

Wasps season-ticket holder David White said: "It's good news. Clearly, Wasps are the champion team of Europe and it's ridiculous they are playing at a stadium with such a small capacity - it's simple economics."