The plans show in detail where 2,000 to 2,500 new homes could be built and look at how key infrastructure like new roads, schools, public transport, open spaces and sports facilities could be put in place to help create a growing town.

From this week local residents can see the plans and give informed comment during a six week consultation which will finish on Easter Monday 28th March 2016.

The draft Princes Risborough Town Plan is available online at www.wycombe.gov.uk/newlocalplan on the Princes Risborough pages and as a hard copy at Princes Risborough library, Princes Risborough Town Council and Wycombe District Council offices.

Staff from the Council’s planning team will be on a stand on the Thursday market next week 25th February from 9.30am to 12.30pm and available at two drop in exhibitions at the community centre on Thursday 25th February from 3.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday 27th February 2016 from 10.00am to 2.00pm.

Once people have had a chance to look at the plans a public meeting will be held at the Princes Risborough Community Centre on Thursday 3rd March 2016 from 7.30 pm to 9.30pm. Anyone interested in attending the public meeting can book a place at the meeting by email to [email protected] or by phone 01494 421158.

Residents can make comments using a survey form at www.wycombe.gov.uk/haveyoursay or give detailed feedback by email or post by downloading a feedback form from the website.

The plans are the result of a series of public events, technical reports and meetings with a specially created local steering group which is chaired by Princes Risborough Town Council and includes local representative organisations including residents associations, sporting and school organisations.

The draft town plan is also the result of feedback gathered from residents at public exhibitions and workshops and by testing detailed technical evidence.

Councillor David Johncock, Wycombe District Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability said: ‘The whole country has a shortage of homes for people to live in. Councils up and down the country are under pressure from national government to help deliver these homes, and are also under pressure from speculative applications with developers, rather than local people, driving the agenda.

We can’t stop growth, but we can make sure it’s done the right way, in the right place and with the right infrastructure being put in for the people living in Princes Risborough now and in the future.‘

Cllr Alan Turner, Chairman of Princes Risborough Town Council said:  ‘Like everyone who lives here, I care deeply about this town. Over the last two years we have reluctantly had to accept that the choice facing Risborough is not between growth and no growth, but between planned growth and unplanned growth – between being in control or being overtaken by events.

Right now in Princes Risborough there are active and pending applications for around 1500 new homes.

We need the town plan in place to fight off speculative piecemeal development like this which would bring new homes without the right infrastructure to support the expansion. Please look at the plans, come and find out more and do your bit to help get the best result we can for Risborough.‘