Community Stadium at Booker Airfield - the LOWDOWN

There have been some passionate conversations on the MarlowOnThamesPeople site about the proposed stadium at Booker Airfield in Great Marlow.

For those of you not in-the-know, here is a brief summary of the current situation and some interesting and informative organisations associated to the project.

A brief history:

The airfield near Great Marlow was originally known as Marlow Airport. In 1939 it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and opened in 1941 as RAF Booker. In 1965 it was developed as the civilian aerodrome under the name ‘Wycombe Air Park’, however, for locals it is still known simply as 'Booker'.

The proposal:

In January the Wycombe District Council formally agreed to back plans for a community stadium to be built on the airfield.

'The agreement to move forward to the next stage of the project was reached following considerable technical analysis by the Council's Planning Team, consideration of the potential social and economic benefits to the District, careful analysis of what was said in nearly 8,400 responses to the public consultation and support from independently convened focus groups'.

In the midst of the nation-wide budget cuts, WDC allegedly earmarked £750,000 for investigatory work on the project - a project with a projected cost of £88 million. It is still unclear whether the WDC will be involved in the project as a partner.

The pro's?

The stadium is proposed as the best potential new ground for the Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps. Club owner Steve Hayes said recently in a statement to the BBC that the decision to move was largely based on maintenance costs of the current ground, Adams Park, which the club does not own. He said very openly that the club 'will be better off financially as a result of a move to a new stadium'. In a plea to the community, he also urged for 'fans and others to retain an open mind until we publish more details as we are still at an early stage'. Mr Hayes pointed out that, 'It will also allow the club to be at the heart of a new Sports Village which could do so much for health, wellbeing and sports access across the community.'

The cons?

Since the proposal of the stadium last year, there have been outcries from various community groups and organisations about the proposal. One group, known as 'No Stadium At Booker', are campaigning against the stadium for three key reasons. These are 1. the unnecessary waste of public money 2. the closure of the gliding club and 3. the environmental damage to green belt land. MarlowOnThamesPeople user 'gunnyps' has provided us with some additional facts as to why the stadium should not be built here.  

What has the community said so far? 

In a poll run by the Bucks Free Press a staggering 87% voted against the stadium, with 4799 votes registered. Analysis of the votes cast later reduced this to a still hefty 77% against. 

Wycombe Wanderers Independent Supporters Club recently surveyed all its members about the proposed new community stadium at Booker. Of the 30% of members who replied, 47% were undecided, 10% in favour and 42% opposed.

What's your view so far? Are you opposed, in favour or feel you need more information? Post your view below.