Final Hazlemere, High Wycombe track plans released for Sir William Ramsay School

4:19pm Tuesday 29th December 2009

By Oliver Evans

RESIDENTS can now have their say on controversial final plans to move an athletics track to Hazlemere.

Wycombe District Council has submitted a planning application for the eight-lane track, other athletics facilities and pavilion for Sir William Ramsay School.

The council wants to move the track from Wycombe Sports Centre, Handy Cross to make way for a coach station and re-located park and ride facility.

Most residents who responded to a council consultation opposed early plans over fears about traffic, noise, lighting and the affect on wildlife.

This led to the removal of proposed spectator seating, lower level lighting and the moving of the pavilion to near the school instead of houses.

But Brian Mapletoft of Hazlemere Residents’ Association said homeowners were unimpressed with the changes.

He said: “It is dreadful that after such an outcry that they are going ahead with a discredited scheme with merely cosmetic adjustments.”

The plans had “done nothing” to alter the track size, he said, and it would be better sited at Queensway, Amersham Road, where WDC is to create allotments.

Hazlemere Parish Council also objects. It told the council: “The track would create an overdevelopment of a well established residential area.”

The plans – to be decided by WDC’s planning committee – said lighting will be “state of the art” and spill would be “virtually eliminated”.

The council – which is not responsible for roads or transport - said it would “promote” alternatives to car use.

The detailed plans (see link, bottom of story) says: “The proposal seeks to provide a safe, convenient and attractive access on foot and by cycle.”

It says “most” of the hedgerow will be kept and eight trees will be removed and replaced.

There will be 48 cycling stands and spaces for 61 cars, seven coaches, nine mini-buses and eight disabled drivers.

As well as the eight-lane 400m track, the facility will also include triple jump, pole-vault, javelin and high-jump fan.

The pavilion includes changing and shower facilities, kitchen, first aid room and storage room.

The “simplicity” of the pavilion’s design will “add to the character of the environment” the council says. It would be used to 8.30pm.

The council looked at 11 sites before settling on the school. It gave out 1,250 leaflets during a six week consultation in August and September.

Some residents were angry at the timing of the consultation as some householders were on holiday.

Send your comments to planning@wycombe.gov.uk or Planning, Wycombe District Council, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, HP11 1BB quoting reference 09/07338/R9FUL.

Click below to see the full plan and leave comments and previous stories on the controversy.