Archived press release

Date Published: 06/03/08

A new conservation area in Akeley has been given the green light by Aylesbury Vale District Council.

At a meeting of the full council last night (5 March), councillors agreed to the new designation in recognition of the village’s special architectural and historic character.

The designation will provide general controls over the demolition and alteration of buildings, protect trees and will ensure that any new developments are designed in a way that preserves the distinct character of the area.

The new conservation area is based around historic buildings in Lillingstone Road, Main Street, The Square and Chapel Lane.

Within the conservation area there are five listed buildings: Old Century Cottage, The Cottage, Little Northover, 1-3 Main Street and Verandale on The Square. There are also a number of unlisted buildings, such as Victoria House and Church Farm Cottages, which make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area.

The decision to designate the Akeley conservation area was made following extensive consultation with local people, including a public exhibition and leaflets sent to homes in the area.

Alongside the conservation area designation, an appraisal of Akeley’s character has been produced which explains where the village’s special interest lies. The document will be used to guide planning officers when assessing planning applications in the area.

Councillor Sue Polhill, Cabinet Member for Planned Development, said: “We would like to thank

all those people who took time to give us their feedback on our proposals for a new conservation area in Akeley. It is only by receiving comments and feedback on our proposals that we can really judge what will work.”

She continued: “The new area will mean we can protect buildings, trees, key views and ensure development in the village is done in harmony with the existing environment. Protecting our historic built environment is just as important as protecting our open spaces. Residents are rightly proud of these areas and we are supportive of this.”

The full council has also approved boundary alterations to existing conservation areas in Bierton, Dinton, Westlington, Upton and Gibraltar.

The most significant change to the conservation area boundaries in Bierton is the inclusion of the surviving areas of historic strip fields to the rear of properties along the north-western side of the A418 towards the north-eastern end of the village. This will link three of the existing conservation areas together, thereby reducing the number of conservation areas within the village from five to three.

Proposed changes to the conservation areas in Dinton, Westlington, Upton and Gibraltar include minor alterations to the existing boundaries, as well as two larger extensions to include Westlington House and an area of archaeological importance between Dinton and Upton which contains medieval remains.

Plans of the new conservation area in Akeley, and the approved boundary changes for Bierton, Dinton, Westlington, Upton and Gibraltar, will be available to view at the council’s High Street offices in Aylesbury. They will also be available to download from the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk in due course.

For more information, or to request a copy of the plans, contact Emilia Hands on 01296 585244 or email ehands@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

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For interviews, please contact:
• Councillor Sue Polhill, Cabinet Member for Planned Development, 01296 585718
• Norman Skedge, Corporate Director (Development), 01296 585011