Future of Farnham Park Playing Fields and the South Buckinghamshire Golf Course secured with new leaseholder

Buckinghamshire Council Leader, Steven Broadbent, and Peter Brazier, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, have confirmed that the well-established Buckinghamshire football club will become the new leaseholder for Farnham Park, taking on overall responsibility for operating and managing the sites and investing in enhancing and modernising the facilities. This partnership will build on the successful existing arrangement with BaseballSoftballUK, who have developed their national baseball and softball complex at Farnham Park, and the other sports tenants on site.

Councillor Brazier, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, said: “I am delighted to announce that Wycombe Wanderers Football Club will be the new head leaseholder for these key sites, which are protected for sport and physical activity. Their vision and commitment to a multi-sports hub with modern, inclusive facilities will significantly increase opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds across the community to play sport and be active.

“Their proposals for the site are subject to planning permission and consultation and engagement with existing tenants and local residents, but this is a very exciting step forward and promises a very bright future for the much-loved playing fields and golf course.”

Wycombe Wanderers Football Club will work with the existing tenants and users on site to develop detailed plans for new facilities at the sites, with a focus on increasing access to sport and the diversity of activities on offer. Subject to planning approvals, their proposals include the creation of a new artificial playing pitch for community use at the playing fields, plus a football training centre and academy at the northern side of the existing 18-hole golf course, where they will support grass roots programmes and initiatives with a bespoke community offer. The golf course could then be modernised to a 9- or 12-hole layout to make it more flexible, accessible and appealing to a wider audience.

Dan Rice, Interim Chairman & Chief of Football from Wycombe Wanderers Football Club said:

"We are committed to a long-term partnership that enhances and future-proofs the recreational and sporting value of South Buckinghamshire Golf Course and Farnham Park.

“Our vision is founded on three key pillars: community access, sporting excellence, and environmental sustainability. From improving grassroots and multi-sport infrastructure to developing a state-of-the-art academy and training centre, we aim to create a lasting legacy that benefits both current users and future generations.

“We are dedicated to working openly and collaboratively with the Council, existing user groups, and the wider community to ensure that the site remains inclusive, accessible, and enriched by new investment. This is about safeguarding public use while unlocking new opportunities, participation, and activity for all."

The sites will remain open as usual for users throughout the design and planning process, with Wycombe Wanderers Football Club committing to a phased programme of investment over the next five years to enhance and upgrade the existing facilities during this time.