Major plans to create a new South Bucks country park, which will include cycling tracks and running trails, have been given the green light.

South Bucks District Council’s (SBDC) planning committee approved proposals to transform the former golf academy site in Stoke Poges into a country park.

The 22-hectare site will be open to the public all year and will provide an off-road cycle circuit, a mountain bike trail, footpaths and jogging tracks, children’s play facilities and a café.

Trees and shrubs will also be planted to “enhance the range of natural habitats for animals” and parking will be provided for visitors.

Landscaping works are due to start in early 2019, with the entire park set to be completed by 2021.

Leader of SBDC, Nick Naylor, said: “This is an exciting development for the council which has received overwhelming public support.

“We are turning an underused facility into something of far wider benefit to the community to support our aims to improve the public health of residents by expanding their opportunities for open space leisure.”

The site will be formally dedicated as country park by the council’s cabinet during a meeting in December.

More information about the development can be found at http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/article/9036/New-country-park-for-South-Bucks-is-granted-planning-permission-