A COMMERCIAL agent believes there is a need to look at using Green Belt land at the edges of the Wycombe District to fill the demand for high grade offices in the area.

Lance Slater, of Slater Associates in Marlow, who is also chairman of the High Wycombe and south Bucks area Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce's transport and planning committee, said: "We all have to be prepared to look at the possibility of using some limited greenfield land as there is no other undeveloped land in the area."

His comments follow last month's future employment strategy for the district at a round table discussion as part of the public inquiry into the Local Plan. Objectors voiced concerns to Wycombe District Council's proposals over the lack of suitable development land for hi-tech industries as employment patterns change in the area from manufacturing to the service sector.

Mr Slater, speaking on behalf of both Slater Associates and the chamber, said there was considerable concern at the lack of redevelopment land.

He pointed out that while High Wycombe was not as large as Reading or Slough, it was nevertheless a very well-located town with excellent rail, road and air communications and its industrial and commercial base had widened considerably over the past 20 to 30 years.

He said: "That does not mean that Wycombe will need to double in size but these new industries now demand far more modern accommodation with higher standards and lower densities in business park-type settings, such as Globe Park or Kingsmead Business Park."

Charles Miller partner at Duncan Bailey Kennedy in Castle Street, High Wycombe, said: "The demand for offices continues unabated and there is very, very little supply."

Mr Miller said the next phase of Mercury Park in Wycombe Lane, Wooburn Green, where construction will start soon, is already attracting a good level of inquiries, a high proportion of which are coming from computer and pharmaceutical companies.

Clive Brocklehurst, of Aitchison Raffety, said while there are cries for the release of Green Belt land, the market is finding brownfield sites in the Wycombe district to be re-used.

These include Evans Halshaw on the London Road, Wycombe Marsh, Glory Mill in Wooburn Green and future development at Globeside in Marlow.

Mr Brocklehurst said: " It shows the market will find a way. The old sites are starting to be regenerated."

He added that he understood that 20 bids had already been received to develop the Evans Halshaw site and the highest were for office development.