AVDC welcomes chance to review growth in the Vale

Archived press release

Date Published: 14/06/10

Aylesbury Vale District Council has welcomed the opportunity to look again at growth in the Vale in light of the government’s commitment to return decision-making powers on housing and planning to local councils.

Planning inspector Geoff Salter has written to AVDC to ask for its views on the new government’s proposals to scrap regional housing targets and how this will affect the district.

The council’s core strategy, which provides the blueprint for development in Aylesbury Vale up to 2026, was the subject of a lengthy public examination led by Mr Salter earlier this year. The inspector’s preliminary findings have just been published.

Councillor Michael Edmonds, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “We welcome the opportunity that the new coalition government’s plans to abolish regional plans and housing targets brings. This will give us the chance to look again at the level of growth that is right for Aylesbury Vale.

“We have already pressed the Secretary of State to clarify the government’s plans as soon as possible and until that happens it would be wrong to spend substantial amounts of time and money doing more studies and testing, as requested by the inspector.

“Once we have more clarity about the new planning system we will look again at where the growth should go, having regard to the inspector’s initial findings. We will be making our formal submission to him in due course, but have already asked him to clarify some technical points to better inform that response. As in the past we will consult with the community once the government’s plans become more clear.”