Cabinet to discuss future jobs and housing targets

Archived press release

Date Published: 09/05/12

Building

How many jobs and homes should be created in Aylesbury Vale over the next 20 years? That’s the topic for discussion by councillors at a meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet on 15 May.

With the impending removal of regionally imposed housing targets that would have required 26,890 houses to be built in the Vale up to 2026, the council is now looking ahead to determine the district’s own future new jobs and housing numbers.

At the meeting on 15 May, councillors will consider new targets for the number of homes and jobs to be provided across the Vale by 2031 over and above those already planned. Currently 750 new homes are built on average each year.

It will be for the full council to approve the housing and jobs targets, along with the broad areas where they are to be located in due course. The cabinet will be asked to decide whether this process can be brought forward to September so a new planning strategy for the Vale can be in place by spring next year.

Once agreed, the housing and jobs targets will be included in the Vale of Aylesbury Plan, which will set out a new approach for development in the district up to 2031 as well as new planning policies.

The proposed jobs and homes target follows a public consultation, which took place between 1 December 2011 and 26 January 2012, with residents, businesses, developers and other interested parties, who were asked for their views on a number of options for jobs and housing numbers for the district to 2031, and a range of options for how these might be distributed across the district.

More than 220 people responded with 31 per cent selecting the lowest range (4,500 to 6,700 homes and 0 to 3,000 jobs) and 33 per cent opting for the highest level of development (11,250 to 13,500 homes and 9,100 to 12,000 jobs) as their preferred options.

Councils are required to set targets for housing growth and are being encouraged by the government to be ‘pro-growth’ and ‘pro-development’, particularly in relation to job creation.

Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “This is the first time that we have been able to decide the number of new houses and jobs the Vale needs over the next 20 years. Previous housing numbers have been set for us by the government. Over recent months the district council has been working with parish and town councils, local residents and other organisations to help us decide the number of new homes and jobs we need to provide in our new Local Plan. The main message I have received from the public is that any growth in the Vale must be led by the provision of new jobs and new infrastructure. We know that even if we create no more jobs over the next 20 years, the Vale will still need 4,500 new homes as people who are currently working reach retirement age, but remain in the Vale. Most localities are anxious to see some new housing in order that young people can stay in the area and the community can thrive.”

Councillor Paternoster added: “We must ensure that the economic development of the Vale can continue to grow and prosper, with the provision of adequate infrastructure before, or at least alongside, development.”

The cabinet meeting will be held at 6.30pm at the council’s offices in Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

For further information about the Vale of Aylesbury Plan, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/aylesburyvaleplan