Archived press release

Date Published: 15/12/06

A major development in Aylesbury made up of 3,000 homes has taken a step closer to becoming reality. The Berryfields Major Development, one of the first projects set to bring a total of 21,200 new homes to the area by 2026, was given the go-ahead...

A major development in Aylesbury made up of 3,000 homes has taken a step closer to becoming reality.

The Berryfields Major Development, one of the first projects set to bring a total of 21,200 new homes to the area by 2026, was given the go-ahead in principle on 7 December by AVDC’s development control committee.

The new development, covering more than 185 hectares to the north and south of the A41 Bicester Road, is set to benefit from community facilities, open space, a district centre, education facilities, employment land, a new link road and transport links.

The planning application was originally agreed in principle in 2004, but because an area of land adjacent to Berryfields Lane could not be included in the scheme, an amended plan has been submitted to exclude that part of the development. The area of land left out of the amended application could be incorporated back into the development once the work has begun or it may be left undeveloped.

Planning permission for the scheme will be granted once the district and county council sign planning agreements with the developers. It is anticipated that these agreements will be finalised over the next few weeks.

Up to 1,850 homes allocated for the site are set to be built by 2011, in line with the council’s development plan policy. The remaining 1,150 homes are expected to be completed by 2017. At least ten per cent of the homes to be provided will be low-cost market housing and provision for 30 per cent affordable housing has been agreed in principle.

The planning agreements for the Berryfields development will secure a range of facilities, including the provision of play areas, around 70 hectares of open space and community facilities such as a sports hall and pitches.

Around nine hectares of land has been set aside for two employment areas. There will also be employment opportunities within the shopping area, which will include some 1,400 sq metres for food shopping.

There are plans aimed at managing additional traffic arising from the development of 3,000 homes at Berryfields. These proposals include:
• A new road linking the A41 and A413, called the Western Link Road, which would provide access to Berryfields and Weedon Hill.
• A new junction on the A41 at Berryfields Lane towards the east of the development and a roundabout to the west of the site
• A rail station, expected to be called Aylesbury North or Aylesbury Parkway, which would be an extension of the London to Aylesbury route
• A bus park and ride facility next to the proposed rail station
• A network of cycleways, footpaths and bridleways within the site and alongside the river
• A bus corridor into Aylesbury along the Bicester Road

Measures are also included to minimise the impact the development may have on the nearby Quarrendon Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Planned Development, said: “This is great news for the scheme. It brings us another step closer to delivering a key development site for Aylesbury. The scheme is vital for the growth of Aylesbury and will help us to meet the government’s housing requirements. The development will transform the area into an attractive, accessible, sustainable community, widening the choice of housing for local people and providing much needed affordable homes, new employment opportunities and a host of recreational facilities.”

Building works on the site should begin in 2007, and it is envisaged that the project will take around 10 years to complete.