Archived press release

Date Published: 17/10/06

The multi-million pound scheme to deliver a new look for Aylesbury town centre is set to get underway. Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, and Mike Walker, Development Director for Crest Nicholson, took part in ...

The multi-million pound scheme to deliver a new look for Aylesbury town centre is set to get underway.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, and Mike Walker, Development Director for Crest Nicholson, took part in a special ‘sod-cutting’ ceremony today (17 October) to mark the start of a major building programme in Walton Street.

The £35 million project is the first significant stage of the Waterside scheme – an ambitious plan to redevelop Aylesbury town centre, which will also create a new shopping area in Exchange Street, including a department and food store, as well as housing developments alongside the canal and at Circus Field.

The Walton Street development will take place in three phases. The first phase, beginning on 23 October, will see the construction of a new ex-servicemen’s club – which is expected to open in 2007 – on the site of the current surface-level car park, as well as building work starting on 214 one and two bedroom apartments.

Phase two will provide a new 525-space multi-storey car park, which will be built mainly on the site of the existing Aylesbury Ex-Servicemen’s Club in Walton Street. The car park is expected to open in 2008 and will provide the extra parking spaces needed when the Waterside scheme is fully underway.

The third phase will see the completion of the housing development, titled Viridian Square, which will include 24 affordable homes. It will be built in six three and four storey blocks next to the car park and is expected to take three years to complete. Guide prices for the new one and two bedroom apartments, which will be on sale from January 2007, start from £149,950.

Work on the Walton Street redevelopment will mean the loss of some car park spaces on the current surface-level car park. However, there will be up to 100 spaces available until the new multi-storey car park is complete.

AVDC has opened a new car park at the site of the former Bucks Herald and Wilkins Solicitors offices to compensate for the loss of parking spaces at Walton Street. Bear Brook car park in Exchange Street has 110-long stay spaces and is open every day with evening use. The car park will remain open until next year when, subject to formal planning consent, a first class theatre and entertainment centre will be built.

Crest Nicholson (Chiltern) Ltd from Hemel Hempstead is the main contractor for the Walton Street project.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “The start of the Walton Street scheme is very symbolic. It signals the start of the transformation of Aylesbury into a modern and exciting place to live, work and shop. The local community will reap the benefits from this development as it progresses and I very much look forward to seeing the improvements that this will offer the residents of Aylesbury Vale.”

Mike Walker, Development Director for Crest Nicholson, said: “Crest Nicholson are delighted that the scheme is to commence. We have worked closely with officers of the council to ensure that the Walton Street development delivers the right balance of much needed new homes, additional car parking capacity for the town centre and a new building for the Aylesbury Ex Servicemen’s Club. These are exciting times for Aylesbury and Crest Nicholson are pleased to be part of the regeneration of the town centre.”

If you are interested in buying one of the new homes, please call 0870 7551635 or visit www.crestnicholson.com for further details.