Councillors have backed plans for a sports pavilion to be built on greenbelt land, even though it goes against their own policy (Oct 5).

Wycombe District Council's planning experts recommended that the plan for Lane End playing fields should be refused, but councillors reversed this. Instead the plan will go back to the next planning applications panel meeting with a 'minded to approve' recommendation.

Lane End Parish Council wants to provide better sports facilities for teenagers after a study in 1994 revealed they turned to crime because they were bored.

The plan proposes to demolish the existing single-storey club building in The Row, Lane End, and replace it with a two-storey pavilion measuring 30.5 metres by 19 metres.

Lane End Residents Action Group and Lane End Sports and Social Club argue that the size of the building is inappropriate to the needs of the village and would generate more traffic close a dangerous bend.

The plan includes changing rooms, a youth club facility, a coffee bar and a fitness/gym which would be operated by Wycombe Leisure on the ground floor, and a lounge/bar and a private hire function room on the first floor.

A parish council spokesman said: "A referendum will be held when the parish council has viable options to present to the parish."

See Friday's Bucks Free Press for full story.