PROJECT leaders behind two multi-million pound schemes to revamp Amersham-on-the-Hill town centre are preparing to battle it out for support when a public consultation is launched later this year.

But, as JAMES COX reports, one scheme seems to be taking the early lead.

Amersham-on-the-Hill's future as a commercial, social and cultural centre has reached a turning point.

In the next few months chiefs at Chiltern district and Buckinghamshire county councils will sift through two detailed plans offering Amersham's town centre a new lease of life.

Far-reaching plans proposed by the schemes include a huge new retail development, a modern library, a Marks and Spencer food store and a major community centre.

But because both schemes want to use the same area of council-owned land, on the corner of Chiltern Avenue and King George V Road, it is likely that only one will get the final green light.

Manchester-based developers Peel Holdings wants to redevelop a 37,000 sq ft site on the corner of Sycamore Road and Woodside Road to create a massive new retail centre at the heart of Amersham-on-the-Hill's shopping area.

A rival scheme, proposed by The Kings Church, would see the construction of a brand new £3m community centre, including a 500-seat auditorium, for a range of events such as seminars, indoor bowls, performances and large-scale catering.

However, it is the Peel Holdings scheme that seems to have struck an early chord with business and residents' groups in the town. They say Amersham has been crying out for such a development for years.

Business leader Eric Springate says Peel Holdings project can expect the backing of Amersham and District Chamber of Commerce and the Amersham Action Group if a formal planning application is submitted.

Mr Springate, chairman of Amersham and District Chamber of Commerce, explained: "While the Kings Church application would be a community-based one it would not bring in anything like the increase in trade and footfall in Amersham-on-the-Hill as an anchor store like Marks and Spencer."

The first phase of this scheme would see the arrival of a 18,000 sq ft M&S food store similar to those recently built in nearby Rickmansworth and in North London suburbs such as Pinner and Southgate.

Bosses at Peel Holdings say its £8m scheme will attract further big-name shops and stores with the development of a further 9,000 sq ft of retail space giving wealthy Amersham-on-the-Hill the commercial facilities it deserves.

Amersham's St Michael and All Angels Church would gain a new building at the current site of the town's library to make way for the new shopping centre. A new space for the library would be created above the new retail units.

The scheme comes partly as a result of more than six years of work by the Amersham Action Group to revitalise Amersham-on-the-Hill by making it more attractive to outside investment.

The group is made up of representatives from Amersham Town Council, Chiltern District Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Amersham and District Chamber of Trade and the Amersham District Residents' Association.

Amersham town councillor Alan Passmore, who sat on the Amersham Action Group for a number of years, also believes that the Peel Holdings scheme would benefit Amersham more than the new Kings Community Centre.

He explained: "I haven't noticed a great demand amongst the people of Amersham for a theatre but I have heard a lot of people saying that we need decent shops in the town."

However, project leaders at The Kings Church remain optimistic that their community centre has got a good chance and are likening the competition from Peel Holdings as comparable to the story of David and Goliath.

Senior Pastor Ian Stackhouse said: "This is a truly exciting project for the town that will offer countless opportunities for, and contribute enormously to, the well being and enjoyment of the local community in and around Amersham. Whilst we are seeking a new church building from which to continue with and develop our well established links with the community , the wide ranging facilities are clear for all to see."

Alan Goodrum, chief executive of Chiltern District Council, said both projects still had everything to play for and would be given equal consideration by the joint council panel when the time comes.