Buckinghamshire Council's response to the Farnham Park petition

The Trustee has carefully considered the points raised but does not consider that restarting the lease process or issuing a further public notice is necessary.

The original public notice invited representations on the proposal to grant a lease of the charity land. It explained that

• the charity faces significant costs in maintaining the site
• the existing arrangements are not financially sustainable
• the charity is better served through new operating arrangements that ensure future investment in the facilities with increased participation and usage of the land - in line with its charitable objectives to improve residents’ physical wellbeing through the provision of facilities for physical training and recreation, including outdoor sports.

The lease opportunity was subsequently marketed openly and attracted 10 initial proposals from a range of interested parties with a variety of approaches to the future use of the site, including proposals involving mixed sports and leisure development across the playing fields and golf course sites, reductions of the golf course to accommodate new facilities, retention of the 18-hole golf course and mixed sports hubs.

Following an evaluation process, Wycombe Wanderers FC was selected as the preferred leaseholder in August 2025. Further information about the background to the decision to seek leasing arrangements, the lease process, the other proposals considered, and why Wycombe Wanderers FC was selected as leaseholder was shared and is still available to view in our published FAQs - Future development of Farnham Park Playing Fields and South Buckinghamshire Golf Course | Buckinghamshire Council.

The Trustee does not consider that the proposals that Wycombe Wanderers FC shared during their recent public engagement change the basis on which the lease was advertised, marketed or evaluated. The public notice set out the Trustee's objectives for the future of the site and the subsequent marketing exercise attracted a range of proposals reflecting different approaches to achieving those objectives.

Following evaluation of those proposals, the Trustee selected the option it considered would best support those objectives and secure the future of the site for physical training, sport and recreation. The Trustee considers that the lease with Wycombe Wanderers FC will support the purposes of the Trust through significant investment in a range of new and upgraded facilities, creating greater opportunities for participation in sport and recreation by local people of different ages and backgrounds, and securing the future sustainability of the site.

Under the lease, the permitted use requires the charity land to be managed and maintained in accordance with the Eton Rural District Council Act 1971.

Subject to the necessary planning approvals, Wycombe Wanderers FC’s proposals include substantial investment in new sporting and community facilities across both the playing fields and golf course, with continuing golf provision through a new Family Golf Centre, community use for parts of the new Performance Hub, improvements to walking routes and increased opportunities for children, young people and the wider community to participate in organised sport and physical activity.

A central theme of the petition is the effect that the proposed Performance Hub would have on how parts of the site are accessed and used. The Trustee recognises that some people are concerned about the scale of the changes being proposed and the effect these may have on how parts of the site are used in the future. However, the Trustee's role is to consider the overall public benefit across the site as a whole, having regard to the Eton Rural District Council Act and factors including community participation and use, quality of facilities, long-term investment, operational capability and financial sustainability.

The Trustee acknowledges that there are differing views about the future of the site and respects the views of all those who have taken an interest in the proposals. However, it remains satisfied that the lease process was properly conducted, that a broad range of options were considered, and that the lease arrangement is consistent with the Eton Rural District Council Act. The Trustee therefore does not consider that there is any basis for restarting the process and conducting a new competitive process.