RESIDENTS fear proposals will lead to loss of wildlife habitat and a play area. MATTHEW HARRIS meets members of the action group fighting to save a field from district council plans to turn it over to housing for homeless families.

Proposals to build houses on a treasured woodland site are causing fierce debate among residents who fear the move could decimate wildlife in the area.

Plans for the site between Hatters Lane and Hicks Farm Rise, High Wycombe, are shrouded in mystery as Wycombe District Council refuses to unveil its plans for the site, claims local resident Sally Austin.

The proposals first came to light when residents noticed surveyors marking the site, and the Save Hicks Farm Rise Action Group (SHFRAG) was formed in response to this.

Mrs Austin said: "I found out that a development and a road were being considered but they won't let me see the plans they are considering. What have they got to hide?"

At the first SHFRAG meeting tomorrow, Wycombe Wildlife Group spokesman Angus Idle will tell residents about the potential effects of such a move on wildlife in Hicks Farm Wood, and it is hoped district councillor Peter Cartwright (Con, Keep Hill and Hicks Farm), portfolio holder for housing for Wycombe District Council, will also be at the meeting to answer questions.

SHFRAG claims that wildlife will be destroyed and children who play in the wood will suffer if the plans go ahead.

Denise Edwards, 25, of Tamar House, Hicks Farm Rise, one of SHFRAG's founding members, stressed how important it was that all locals attend the meeting.

She said: "We need to show the strength of feeling among the residents. If it goes to a planning committee we will get just three minutes to say our piece. We need to get the campaign going now.

"Referrals to the site as mere 'scrubland' are totally wrong many children here have no gardens and the woods are the only space where they can run and play."

The proposals for the site led to a flood of letters to the Free Press from residents of Hicks Farm Rise, who are outraged that a site they see as an environmental haven could be bulldozed.

The letters accused Wycombe District Council of not having the residents' best interests at heart, pointing out that the wood is an oasis of greenery in an otherwise developed area.

Denise Edwards, of Hicks Farm Rise, said in her letter that the woodland was home to a multitude of wildlife such as breeding muntjacs and badgers, who had made the site their home.

She added: "We, the residents, strongly object to any construction in the woodland area."

In a letter to press, Cllr Cartwright said that the undeveloped land between Hatters Lane and Hicks Farm Rise was at one time corn fields, but had subsequently returned to the wild.

He added: "The land in question is extremely steep and only a detailed survey of the site will determine whether it can contribute to Wycombe's housing needs.

"The land is, of course, designated for housing in the Local Plan."

Cllr Cartwright has emphasised the responsibility of the district council to find accommodation for families in need of housing, and pointed out that there are currently 80 local homeless people requiring two or three-bedroom properties.

He explained: "Nationally, the number of families in bed and breakfast has increased by over 300 per cent since 1987.

"The council must look at all its land holdings to see whether they can contribute to alleviating the plight of local families in desperate housing need.

"The local residents will in due course have the opportunity to comment on any proposals that arise.

"I shall ensure they have their say."

A spokesman for Wycombe District Council said: "This council has not produced any plans for the scrubland at Hicks Farm Rise.

"There are no plans in existence at this stage and therefore nothing for the public to look at.

"The council has surveyed the land and it will be offered as part of a package to housing associations who will be considering alternative accommodation to replace the Star Blocks and Hampden House.

"A development brief is being drawn up for the housing associations to work from."

The meeting will take place in St Andrew's Church, Hatters Lane, tomorrow at 7.30pm.

More information on SHFRAG is available from Ms Edwards on 07903 603881