Redevelopment of Aylesbury town centre moves a step closer

Archived press release

Date Published: 28/09/10

The Civic Centre will be demolished in 2011

Plans to pull down three council-owned buildings in Aylesbury town centre have been given the green light.

The Civic Centre, Reg Maxwell swimming pool and Civic Centre multi-storey car park will be demolished to make way for a new 445-space temporary surface car park.

Planning permission for the temporary car park was granted at a meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s strategic development control committee on 24 September.

Demolition of the buildings will open up possibilities for the redevelopment of the north side of Exchange Street.

The demolition work is scheduled to begin in January 2011 when the Civic Centre car park will be closed to the public. The multi-storey car park will remain open until Christmas for use during the festive season.

The first phase of the works will involve the construction of a temporary disabled parking area and drop-off point for a mobility coach in front of the Reg Maxwell building.

Most of the trees on the site will remain, including the horse chestnuts along Exchange Street and at Hale Leys.

The new temporary car park will be open in time for the Christmas shopping period in 2011. A total of 445 parking spaces will be provided, 38 of which will be allocated to disabled drivers.

AVDC brought down the curtain on the Civic Centre in June after 35 years service to the community. It will be replaced by a brand new entertainment venue, the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, which opens in October.

The Reg Maxwell pool closed in 2001 to make way for the Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre in Vale Park.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “This is an important step in the redevelopment of Aylesbury town centre. We want to get the best possible town centre for the people of Aylesbury and have made significant progress towards developing plans that will offer this. There have been no final decisions on what shape and form the development on the north side of Exchange Street will take, but by beginning the demolition work early next year we are ensuring that the site will be cleared for redevelopment when we are ready to move forward.”

There are a number of public car parks available throughout the town, including Upper Hundreds, Walton Street, Friarscroft and Hampden House. For further information regarding parking visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/transport-streets or call 01296 585234.