Archived press release

Date Published: 22/04/08

Artist’s impression of new public square, food store and theatre

Aylesbury Vale District Council has resolved to pursue Warner Estate’s revised proposals for Waterside Shopping.

Warner Estate has worked closely with officers at the council on the revisions to plans for the multi-million pound retail scheme in the heart of Aylesbury town centre. A fresh approach to the proposals for the south side of Exchange Street has been taken, with the updated designs marrying feedback gained by Warner Estate from last year’s public consultation with a review of the relationship between the development, the new theatre and Exchange Street.

This new approach sees the food store relocated in-between the existing Bear Brook and the canal, and allows for a large and attractive public space to be included in front of the theatre. Other key features of the revised proposals are the removal of the bridge over Exchange Street, the introduction of more car parking spaces and the provision of 150 new homes.

Following the success of securing the first-choice department store, Debenhams, earlier this year, Warner Estate is now progressing detailed designs and continuing discussions with prospective tenants. The feasibility of the revised scheme has been investigated by Warner Estate and the council over recent months and reinforced the overall approach being taken in terms of the scale and type of the proposed retail offer for this area. It is expected that a planning application will be submitted for the scheme later this year.

Dan Howson, Senior Development Manager at Warner Estate, comments: “We have been working closely with officers at Aylesbury Vale District Council over recent months on this new design approach for the south side of Exchange Street. A considerable amount of detailed design work has resulted in this revised scheme, which responds to feedback from the public consultation last year and provides an excellent mixed-use scheme for the town.

“We are now going to be focusing our attention on pulling the final details together for the planning application, expected to be submitted later this year. We are also in detailed discussions with potential operators for the food store, and whilst for commercial reasons these negotiations remain confidential at this stage, we look forward to making further announcements to the public once a deal has been finalised.”

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, added: “We are delighted that the council has agreed to pursue these revised proposals with Warner Estate. The support of the full council for the new scheme demonstrates our commitment to Waterside Shopping and the recognition that Aylesbury town deserves and is in need of much better facilities. It’s a very exciting development and we are now looking forward to continuing our strong relationship with Warner Estate to deliver the scheme.”