Councillors approve planning blueprint for Aylesbury Vale
Archived press release
Date Published: 19/10/12
Aylesbury Vale
Aylesbury Vale’s long-term vision for homes, employment, leisure, infrastructure and the environment has been approved by councillors.
The meeting of the full council on 17 October agreed the draft version of the Vale of Aylesbury Plan Strategy, which sets out how future development should be delivered over the next two decades.
The decision signals a hugely important step forward in the council’s plan making process, and means that Aylesbury Vale District Council will be able to submit the plan for examination by an independent planning inspector working on behalf of the government.
Once adopted it will provide a planning blueprint for Aylesbury Vale up to 2031, helping the council to plan for the new jobs, homes and infrastructure that the district will need in the future.
The document details how the council is planning for a minimum of 6,000 new jobs and 6,000 homes over the next 19 years. This is in addition to the employment development and 7,500 new homes that already have planning permission.
The next stage is for the council to invite comments on the ‘soundness’ of the strategy, for example whether the proposed development locations and policies are justified, effective and consistent with national planning policy. These comments will be sent to the government and inspector along with the plan.
Full details of this process will be announced by AVDC in coming months, and people can stay up to date at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/aylesburyvaleplan
The strategy has been put together following wide ranging consultation with residents and specialist forecasts of housing needs. In summary, it suggests:
• Focusing growth on Aylesbury and Buckingham, so these two towns will see the most investment, and the most new homes.
• Constructing about 2,450 additional homes on "sustainable greenfield urban fringe sites" at Aylesbury with 800 homes at other brownfield and greenfield sites
• Building around 700 additional homes at Buckingham
• Encouraging growth and investment at the other strategic settlements of Haddenham, Winslow (in part linked to the new railway station planned as part of the East-West Rail project) and Wendover
• A proportionate level of growth at smaller and larger villages across the rest of the district
Arrangements are being put in place to ensure the appropriate infrastructure is provided to
complement the development. A priority in planning for additional growth at Aylesbury will be delivery of the Eastern Link Road involving a canal crossing and link south to the A41 Aston Clinton Road.
The plan has a target of 35 per cent affordable housing for larger residential developments. Smaller schemes will also make an important contribution to meeting affordable housing needs.
In addition, the rich heritage, historic assets and distinctive character of Aylesbury Vale will continue to be respected, protected and enhanced.
Councillor Carole Paternoster, “The Vale of Aylesbury Plan Strategy is a vital blueprint for the future of our district, setting out a local vision for sustainable development and growth up to 2031. Good planning can make a positive difference to all of our lives and this strategy will ensure that we have the local policies in place to deliver the homes, jobs and opportunities we need, while also protecting and enhancing the environment. We will make it clear to people how they can make their formal representations in due course.”