Councillors react to Wycombe offices going on the market

Councillors in Wycombe have criticised Buckinghamshire Council’s decision to put the town’s council offices on the market.

The Queen Victoria Road site, which includes the town’s 1930s Municipal Building, was formally listed for sale this week as a development opportunity, prompting a strong response from councillors across parties.

Labour Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt, who represents Downley, said the marketing documents raised serious concerns about the future of the historic building.

“The marketing pack is worse than feared,” she said. “It’s clear it’s only a preference for the facade of the Municipal Building to be kept. We could now see the entire 1930s Neo-Georgian building demolished.

“This is a further insult to our rich heritage and the people of Wycombe, over 2,000 of who actively signed a petition to keep the civic building for enhanced community use.”

She warned the documents indicated a seven- or eight-storey building could be built, dwarfing neighbouring civic buildings and listed landmarks.

Independent Cllr Khalil Ahmed, for Marsh and Micklefield, said the decision showed a failure to listen to local people.

He said: “This isn’t regeneration, it’s a town being ignored, again. Wycombe deserves a voice, not another decision imposed on it.’

Conservative Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE, who represents Abbey ward described the sale as “a very sad moment” for the town.

She said she hoped a developer might still come forward with a proposal to return part of the building for civic use, allowing it to continue to serve as a civic centre.

Mayor and Labour Cllr Majid Hussain, who represents Castlefield and Oakridge, said the sale risked severing a long-standing connection between residents and local democracy.

He said: “For decades, QVR has been more than just an office space — it has been a symbol of local democracy and civic life in our town. Seeing it placed on the market now feels like closing a chapter of who we as a town.”

Independent Cllrs Imran Hussain and Julia Wassell, who represent Totteridge & Bowerdean, said they would continue campaigning for the retention of the 1932 building for public use, including council meetings and the mayor’s parlour.

Cllr Wassell said: “Since 1932 it has become an important part of Wycombe life, and an important heritage building. It is a landmark building in Queen Victoria Road along with The Old Library, Town Hall and other buildings.

“We support the modern area at the back being used for housing and that the developer’s contribution should be to hand back the 1932 building.”

Independent Cllr Darren Hayday, who represents Sands, said the decision felt inevitable but insisted there was still hope the outcome could change.

He said: “This is a ‘done deal’ carried out by the current Conservative cabinet members involved.

“However, I still cling onto hope that things can change around. There are several passionate residents and Cllrs who have been fighting hard against this very action from happening, wanting to look to save the building.”

Independent councillor Trevor Snaith, who represents Marsh and Micklefield, said the sale reflected a wider issue around the loss of public assets in the town.

“We are seeing the steady erosion of public space and local accountability,” he said. “Sadly, without a town council, there is no clear body to protect our local assets.”

A council spokesperson said the potential sale was part of “ambitious regeneration plans for the town that the council is driving forward”.

The spokesperson added the site was currently underused and offered a prime location and “huge opportunity” to attract further investment.

The council said the cabinet had decided last year to relocate the council offices and sell the site, and information about the plan “has been in the public domain throughout this process”.