The West Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee of Buckinghamshire Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 13 May 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be a significant planning application concerning land east of the A404 and north of Fieldhouse Lane in Marlow.

Racquets Centre Proposed for Green Belt Land in Marlow

A key item on the agenda is the proposal for the demolition of an existing dwellinghouse and the construction of a racquets centre, including padel, pickleball, and tennis courts, along with a clubhouse and wellness centre. The site, located at Land East of A404 and North of Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1LU, is situated within the Green Belt and the Little Marlow Country Park.

The report pack indicates that officers are recommending refusal for this application. The primary reasons cited are that the proposed development is considered inappropriate development in the Green Belt and that it would introduce an incongruous and urban form of development which would detract from the established open and rural location. The report highlights that the site is not considered to be grey belt land, which could allow for certain types of development in the Green Belt under specific circumstances. It also notes that while the proposal would create employment opportunities and provide a community facility, these benefits are not considered sufficient to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt. The report states that a similar development could be provided within the urban area.

Concerns have also been raised regarding potential noise impacts on the adjacent Crown Plaza Hotel, contamination of the land due to its previous use as a sewage works and landfill, and flood risk. However, the report suggests that these issues could potentially be managed through planning conditions if the application were to be approved. The report also details extensive consultation responses from various bodies, including the Environment Agency, the Local Lead Flood Authority, and the Ecology Officer, alongside comments from local residents and organisations such as Marlow Town Council and the Globe Business Park Business Improvement District.

The meeting will also include the noting of the minutes from the previous meeting held on 18th March 2026 and confirmation of the date and time of the next meeting. Members will also be asked to confirm their availability for any necessary site visits in June.