A debate over a large empty retail unit in Flackwell Heath has rumbled on this week, with the village residents’ association chairman claiming any changes in the area should not diminish the character of the community.

The former Budgens store, in Straight Bit, has been unoccupied for almost two years after the supermarket closed its door for the last time in 2013 – bringing to an end 40 years of trading.

And, rumours have been circulating ever since to see who would take up the lease on the vacant property, with gyms, high-end supermarkets and housing developments all mooted by residents in the past.

However, the chairman of Flackwell Heath Residents Association, Janet Smith, has said any new company would need to be in keeping with the village character, as she raised concerns that the village could be further merged with High Wycombe.

She said: “There is a lot of concern that Flackwell Heath is losing the community character we always used to have, and it’s worrying that this large store has been empty for so long.

“Absolutely, it would be better to have something there, but it would be nice to have something with a bit more character. I think, as a village, we are losing some of our character.

“Years ago, you had many suburbs around London but these days they are almost like mini-cities and each high street has the same shops on, and I am worried this is happening with Flackwell Heath – as if we are an extension of High Wycombe.”

A few weeks ago, a group of residents from the village wrote to the Bucks Free Press to suggest either a Waitrose or Marks and Spencers or Aldi or Lidl would be best suited to the area.

And Mrs Smith agrees, saying that she does not believe the village Sainsbury’s store fulfils the needs of everyone.

She said: “If you look down the road at Bourne End they have so many shops these days, but we don’t have that sort of atmosphere anymore – it would be nice to get some of that back.

“Not everyone thinks the Sainsbury’s store is big enough now Budgens has gone and many people have to go to neighbouring villages to do their shopping.

“We have spoken a lot about what we would like to see there in the past, and one of the original things we thought about was a farmers market.

“Often people look back and we realise we miss having a green grocer and a butcher. Maybe the Budgens store could be divided up? At the moment, I think as long as we can get something in keeping with the village character it can only be a bonus for the area.”

Do you think the village character of Flackwell Heath is dying? Have your say on this and what you think should replace the former Budgens store by writing to andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01494 755089.