A PROPOSAL for a new community building in Princes Risborough is to be taken to the next stage with a public consultation.

At Princes Risborough Town Council on Tuesday night Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown questioned whether any further action was to be taken on the proposal, which has been mooted this year.

He said when the issue was brought up at the annual town meeting in April the proposal “went down like a lead balloon”.

He added: “Are we going to go forward or not? We are talking about a huge sum of money here.”

And he said he believes there is more community space now, including the Princes Centre, formerly the day care centre.

He added: “I would like to suggest we don’t go forward and put that money back into reserves or wherever.”

Cllr Alan Turner said he does not think The Princes Centre would be suitable for events such as wedding receptions.

He agreed it would be a lot of money but they have already discussed matched funded grants and also using the 106 monies, which currently stands at more than £100,000 for Risborough for an indoor facility.

Money (£5,000) has been put aside in this year's budget to explore the possibility.

Cllr Will Streule said: “This is not a very fast project. Whether there is a need in the town now is debatable but there is in the future. “I think it would be a great mistake to shelve it at this stage.”

He said he thinks the next stage to gain public opinion.

Cllr Spencer Swanson said he believes the town needs a community building as people often come into his pub, The Whiteleaf Cross, asking if he can put on events but he has to turn them away as the pub is too small.

He added: “We need do something- not just talk.”

Councillors agreed an independent survey should be carried out.