Wycombe Wanderers' ambitious plans for a new training ground have run into significant opposition from a local MP and the Environment Agency. The proposals, which aim to consolidate the club's first team and academy facilities, are now under scrutiny ahead of a key council decision early next year.
Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey has formally objected to the development on green belt land in Beaconsfield, describing the project as a "substantial, private and secured professional football training complex". Separately, the Environment Agency has recommended refusal, stating that "the submitted flood-risk assessment did not adequately consider extreme flooding, climate change, or safe access and escape routes".
Council decision timeline and task force intervention
Buckinghamshire Council must rule on the application by 21 January 2027. The Stoke Poges Task Force has asked the Secretary of State to call in the application for independent determination, citing concerns over green belt development, the loss of public recreational land, and uncertainty over the claimed benefits. The task force also highlighted the council's multiple roles as planning authority, landowner, and financial stakeholder.
The application involves the loss of more than 400 trees and would affect two public footpaths. The Environment Agency raised specific concerns about building in areas at risk of flooding from watercourses on the site.
Club's development rationale and community benefits
Wycombe Wanderers argues the project creates 'very special circumstances' that justify green belt development. The plans include reducing the South Buckinghamshire Golf Course from 18 to 12 holes to make way for a six-hole academy course and a practice range. A new performance centre, an indoor pitch, and nine outdoor pitches would be built, with the facilities designed to meet Category 1 academy standards and bring all football operations onto one site.
Further community elements include a sports hub, a floodlit 3G pitch, five covered padel courts, and a new walking route at Farnham Park Playing Fields. The club believes these offerings provide significant sporting and recreational benefits for the local area.
The objections come as Wycombe prepare for a key home fixture against league leaders Huddersfield Town on 14 November. The Chairboys, who are currently 13th in the League One standings with 18 points from 13 games, are in good recent form with a two-match winning streak. They will look to continue that momentum after a 2-0 victory over Accrington Stanley. The club now awaits the council's verdict on its training ground vision while focusing on the immediate challenge of facing the top side.
More detail at bucksfreepress.co.uk
