Wake up Marlow area residents!

Readers of this paper will know of the intention of North West Estates to seek planning permission for a development east of the Marlow bypass bounded by the bypass (A404), Little Marlow Road (A4155) and Coldmoorhouse Lane (Bourne End).

Recently the construction of a 4-star 168 bedroom hotel was permitted in this area. This decision alerted many local people and organisations, including the Marlow Society, to the dangers of speculative and piecemeal development.

We have been involved in an on-going consultative process to attempt to identify a preferred usage and character for the area. This seems a sensible way to proceed, but consensus is not always easy to establish.

Broadly, on the one hand, environmental and conservationist groups require a 'quiet leisure' use in a maintained landscaped countryside area. However, owners of the land and business oriented groups want a much more intensive and profitable development including retail businesses and restaurants, business park, residential estate and football stadium with all the associated infrastructure. Many controversial local and wider issues are involved, including the impact on the Thames flood-plain.

Little Marlow and Bourne End residents have already expressed their concern but the residents of Marlow have been remarkably silent about the future of this important area very near to the town and part of its green belt. The green belt has been instrumental in protecting and preserving the unique character of Marlow. Do the people of Marlow really want to see it eroded?

Once this process has started and a precedent established, there may be no turning back. Your opinions are now urgently required. If you are already a member of our society then watch out for further information about meetings to discuss the situation. If you are not yet a member, please either join us and come to our meetings or make your views known, without delay, to the Director of Planning, Transport & Development at Wycombe District Council.

For further information on joining the society call 482959 or email dss@imf.co.uk.