EUROPEAN cross-country champion Hayley Yelling has told of her personal "disappointment" with a decision to throw out a cheap homes plan for Marlow, that could have allowed her to move permanently to the town.

The 31-year-old, who is also the reigning English champion, teaches maths at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in West Street.

She had hoped to move to Marlow so she could be closer to work.

But following the decision to throw out the 50 "affordable" houses and flats scheme, as reported last week, Miss Yelling admitted her doubts as to whether she will ever be able to move to the town.

Estate agents say that the minimum cost of houses in the area is £200,000.

The plan had been destined for land next to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fieldhouse Lane.

The Maidenhead and District Housing Association (MDHA) claimed it would address the need for more affordable housing, which is currently lacking.

Miss Yelling said: "It is disappointing really because it is so hard to get on the housing ladder, especially if you want to buy on your own.

"It Marlow is just way off the price range even around the area, anywhere it is just so expensive and this new scheme would be a real incentive, so it is a shame."

Miss Yelling, who lives in Bourne End, is currently looking to move after she was told by the owners of her property that they planned to sell up.

Wycombe District Council rejected the housing association plan, without bringing it to a planning meeting two weeks before the June 23 target date. They said that the location was remote from the town centre and had poor transport links, which could result in "the creation of a ghetto".

This angered developers who said they wanted homes for "key workers" including firefighters, nurses, and police.

It was felt that the scheme could help to house recruits for the new fire station in Marlow, due to open shortly.

A fire service spokesman said that while they welcomed affordable home schemes they had to "respect" the decision of the planning authorities.

But owners of the land, Pelhamcrest, who entered into an agreement with MDHA, have criticised the refusal notice issued by the council.

Company director John Dixie said that only the council could turn the development into a "ghetto", depending on who they allowed to live there.

Developers are currently considering their next move. The council spokesman said the plan did not go to a planning meeting because ward members did not ask for it to be called in.

She added: "Planning permission has been refused. Reasons include the conflicts of the plan with green belt policy."