An ambitious idea to “reclaim” a “nuisance” area of High Wycombe for residents amid ongoing concerns about antisocial behaviour has been rebuffed – as the council insists on waiting for plans to revamp a neglected shopping centre to come forward first.

A £108,000 bid put forward by councillor Julia Wassell to improve Frogmoor in the town centre by creating a bandstand, a fountain, new information boards and a drinking fountain has not been supported by Wycombe District Council.

Cllr Wassell hoped much-needed improvements to Frogmoor could help to shake the “notorious” reputation it has gained since the tragic death of nurse Jo Rand in June 2017.

The “bubbly” dementia nurse, from Marlow, was resting on a bench near KFC when she was splashed “head to toe” in acid after getting caught up in a nearby fight on June 3.

The 47-year-old suffered serious injuries and died 11 days later from blood poisoning.

Xeneral Webster, 19, from Hammersmith, was jailed for 17 years for her manslaughter in July.

Cllr Wassell said the improved Frogmoor could have been dedicated to Ms Rand’s memory.

The area of town has also come under fire for rife antisocial behaviour – with councillor Arif Hussain previously dubbing it a “no-go area” for families.

However, the bid for cash, which would have come from a community infrastructure levy (CIL) fund, has not been supported.

In council documents, presented at the High Wycombe town committee on Tuesday evening, the bid was not supported because it is “premature” – as discussions are ongoing about how to revamp the nearby Chilterns Shopping Centre.

The neglected shopping centre was bought by housing developer, Dandara Homes, in 2017 – but bosses have remained tight-lipped about their plans for the future of the building.

Speaking after it was revealed that the bid had not been supported, Cllr Wassell said: “It was a very modest amount to have a lovely bandstand and different things for Frogmoor to get people down there.

We could have to wait 10 years for the situation with the Chilterns Centre to be resolved.”

She also suggested there could be fixed charity stalls to help promote local causes and outdoor ping pong tables and said a drinking fountain could help reduce reliance on plastic bottles.