A REVIEW of employment land, the opening up of the River Wye and the possible diversion of Abbey Way were among the topics discussed at a Wycombe District Council briefing on November 1.

This was one of two briefings to update business and community organisations on proposals for the future face of the district.

Image the Future Part 2 is the next phase in the public consultation started in the spring and ahead of the preparation of the Wycombe Development Framework (WDF) to identify how land will be used in the future, with a time horizon of 2016.

The consultation will end on December 6.

The framework is set to replace over time the District Local Plan to 2011.

Gerry Unsworth, head of planning, policy and transport, one of three presenters at the briefing, said: "The WDF will set down where we want to be and what we want," explaining that it would comprise a set of objectives to include the themes of employment, housing, and a revitalised town centre.

Research already carried out found that:
* Building in the green belt was not a popular option though in the longer term a greenfield site in the Abbey Barn/Daws Hill area could be considered.

* The need for affordable housing and where future housing sites will be, in particular in rural areas.

* Some flexibility in re-allocating some employment sites.

* Diverting traffic from Abbey Way and possibly its removal.

* In Marlow/Wooburn Green the retention of Slate Meadow in the long term and the relocation of Marlow Football Club.

* The need to look at tree regeneration in view of the fact that the trees on the hillside around the area would be coming to the end of their natural lives.

"We want to maintain a healthy economy and we neither want to overheat the economy," said Mr Unsworth. We don't want to become a dormitory town and want to maintain the balance of those coming in and going out of the district."

The Wycombe Development Framework is due to be adopted in 2007.

* More details on website www.wycombe.gov.uk