Archived press release

Date Published: 05/10/06

Land owned by AVDC has been released to kick-start the redevelopment of Aylesbury town centre. The council has negotiated the transfer of 4.2 acres of land in Walton Street to property developer Crest Nicholson to provide a new multi-storey car p...

Land owned by AVDC has been released to kick-start the redevelopment of Aylesbury town centre.

The council has negotiated the transfer of 4.2 acres of land in Walton Street to property developer Crest Nicholson to provide a new multi-storey car park, modern town centre housing and new and improved facilities for the Aylesbury Ex-Servicemen’s Club.

Construction of the multi-million pound development, the first significant phase of the Waterside scheme, is scheduled to begin later this month and it is anticipated work will take three years to complete. Planning permission for the development was granted by AVDC earlier this year.

The new 525-space multi-storey car park – which is expected to open in 2008 – will provide the extra parking spaces needed when the Waterside scheme is fully underway. It will be built mainly on the site of the existing ex-servicemen’s club in Walton Street. The current surface-level car park will remain partially open until the new multi-storey car park is complete.

The scheme will also provide 214 new apartments, including 24 affordable homes, built in six three and four storey blocks adjacent to the car park; an open amenity area; and a new ex-servicemen’s club to replace the current Aylesbury Ex-Servicemen’s Club. It is anticipated that the new ex-servicemen’s club will be finished in 2007, with the apartments expected to be completed over the three-year period of the project.

Work will be carried out in three phases, starting on Walton Street car park on 16 October. The council will be erecting signs to advise members of the public on the alternate car parks available.

A new temporary car park has been opened in preparation of the development of Walton Street car park. 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 planning permission, a first class theatre and entertainment centre will be built.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, expressed his delight that a land deal had now been signed and looked forward to the development progressing. “I’m glad that we have reached an agreement with Crest Nicholson and delighted that construction work can now begin on site. We have been working with the developers on the detail of their plans, ensuring that everything which needs to be in place, is, before work begins,” he said.

“This will prove to be a superb development for the town and I’m very much looking forward to it being completed in 2009,” he added.

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.”