What is the Local Development Framework? 

The Local Development Framework (LDF) will eventually replace the Local Plan and will set the local planning policy context for the District.  The LDF will be a ‘folder’ of related documents.  The first planning policy document will be the Core Strategy.  This is the central document in the LDF, and will set the overall strategy for the whole of the District to 2026. 

What other documents are being produced? 

We had also planned to produce two documents that allocate sites for development: the Aylesbury Allocated Sites document, and the Rural Areas Allocated Sites document.  However, government guidance has now changed.  This means that we have decided to allocate strategic sites in the Core Strategy and all other sites in a single Allocated Sites document.  

Where is the growth going around Aylesbury? 

You may recall that we carried out a consultation last summer that showed land to the south of Aylesbury as the preferred option for the direction of growth (this was known as the southern growth arc). Things have moved on since then, and we are carrying out an additional consultation about the direction of growth at Aylesbury for three main reasons: 

·        Significant levels of public concern at the identification of the southern growth arc;

·        Issues came to light casting doubt on the deliverability of key infrastructure. Given the government’s increased emphasis on deliverability, this uncertainty meant there was a high risk of our plan being unsound: and

·        A review and update of all the evidence has shown that the choice of the most suitable direction of growth is not clear-cut, and as more evidence has come to light we want to make sure that the public can comment on this new information. 

What extra work is being done now? 

We are now gathering additional evidence that will allow all three options to be robustly tested.  This includes additional work on transport, flooding, water cycle, ecology, landscape, viability and utility provision.  Additional Sustainability Appraisal work is also being undertaken and will compare the impacts of each of the three growth options.  It will take into account the findings of the additional evidence gathering. 

What are the options? 

This consultation is about the direction of growth at Aylesbury, and presents three alternative options for your comment.  It is also about the principles which will mould how these developments take shape. The three options considered in this consultation are:

·        Eastern growth arc (includes land between Watermead and Bierton, land to the north of the canal near Broughton Crossing, and land to the north of Weston Turville between the A41 Aston Clinton Road and the A413 Wendover Road). 

·        Hybrid east and southern growth arc (this combines a reduced southern growth arc with land at Broughton Crossing). 

·        Southern growth arc (includes land between the A418 Oxford Road and the A41 Aston Clinton Road). 

When can I next comment? 

The Direction of Growth at Aylesbury consultation will run from Friday 31 October until Friday 12 December 2008.  We would encourage everyone including those who commented last time to come along to any of the exhibitions (see below) and take a fresh look at the three different growth options.  A questionnaire will be available to let us know what you think, and these comments will be taken into account before the council publishes the proposed submission document next year. 

Visit our exhibition:

• Aylesbury friars square shopping centre:        Saturday 1 November, 10am – 5pm
• Bedgrove Park community centre:                   Monday 3 November, 5pm – 9pm
• Walton Court community centre:                      Tuesday 4 November, 10am – 5pm
• Weston Turville village hall:                              Thursday 6 November, 2pm – 8pm
• Stoke Mandeville community centre:                Friday 7 November, 3pm – 8pm
• Watermead village hall:                                     Saturday 8 November, 10am – 5pm
• Bierton jubilee hall:                                            Thursday 13 November, 1pm – 7pm
• Stone village hall:                                               Friday 14 November, 3pm – 8pm

 All the information about the three options and the questionnaire will be available at the Council Offices, libraries, and exhibitions, as well as on our website and on request from us throughout the consultation. 

What happens next with the Core Strategy 

Once this autumn’s consultation has finished, and we have analysed the results, there will be a final opportunity to comment on the whole of the Core Strategy.  It will include our decision on the direction of growth at Aylesbury.  This stage is known as the proposed submission document publication and will be held during May-July 2009.

 

Direction of growth  consultation	Proposed submission document publication	Examination	Adoption
October-December 2008	May-July 2009	December 2009	April 2010

Where can I find out more information?

Maps of the growth options are available part of the report that went to Cabinet on 15 April 2008.  This report is available below.  Alternatively, paper copies are available on request from Democratic Services by ringing 01296 585041 or emailing afisher@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk.

If you have any queries, please contact Forward Plans on 01296 585439 or email avldf@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

Date Updated: 05/09/08