A MAJOR facelift of Higginson Park has been put on hold while the public is consulted again.

Wycombe District Council revealed last week that one of three £750,000 designs had been singled out as the winner of a public consultation vote, carried out in March and April.

But at a cabinet meeting on Monday, June 13, the council decided to withdraw plans to base the redevelopment on the third concept design "to allow time" for further talks with town and district councillors.

The latest move comes in light of increasing pressure from town councillors, who were upset their suggestions for the redevelopment had not been included in plans.

They also said the redevelopment did not have the backing of the public despite the district council claiming it did.

Former mayor, Cllr Doug Anson, said: "The council is saying concept three is a wonderful project and wish to take it forward. They say they have had a thorough survey and that isn't what is coming through to me.

"I'm very happy it has been withdrawn until the consultation takes place again."

In total, 283 residents took part in the public consultation with 82 per cent of them agreeing that improvements to the park were needed.

The district council said the preferred choice was the third concept, better known as the Marlow conservatory, even though it only polled 30 per cent of the vote.

Around 26 per cent voted for the other two designs and a remaining 30 per cent did not make a choice.

The designers by Whitelaw Turkington and Markland Klaschka, is based on a sweeping crescent of a pavilion, rising up from Pound Lane to wrap partially around the playground.

Marlow mayor, Cllr Roger Wilson, said the money could be spent better elsewhere and that it was important for the current open spaces in the park to be preserved.

He said: "The reaction from the public is what are you doing spending £750,000 on Higginson Park?' It has been a very strong reaction."

The Marlow Society said it welcomed the withdrawal, but trustee Bob Savidge said he had received assurance from the council that the redevelopment would only be based "on the principal" of concept three, and that alterations to the design were still possible.

A Wycombe District Council spokesman said the council was "extremely pleased" with the public consultation results after receiving more than 600 responses.

However, the spokesman added further discussions with ward members and town councillors were needed.