Have your say on development in the Vale

Residents and interested parties are being invited to take part in the latest round of consultation on Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF).

All local councils must produce an LDF document which will set out proposals for the homes, offices and shops that they must plan for. Sitting at the heart of the framework is the Core Strategy, which sets out the council’s planning policies and identifies how it will plan for future development up to 2026.

In addition to the Core Strategy, which is subject to an independent examination starting in February, the council also has to develop a series of more detailed documents to show how some of the proposals and policies will be delivered. These are called Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). Between 20 January and 3 March, it will be possible to comment on the first three SPDs to be produced, which deal with the Aylesbury Growth Arc, Salden Chase and local conservation areas.

The “Aylesbury Growth Arc Masterplan and Delivery” SPD sets out a more detailed framework for this growth arc, which will accommodate 9,250 homes (including affordable housing) across three development areas: one to the north of Bierton between the A413 Buckingham Road and the A418 Wing Road; the second to the south of Bierton, north of the Grand Union Canal near Broughton Crossing; and the third to the north of Weston Turville between the A41 Aston Clinton Road and A413 Wendover Road. New schools are proposed in these areas along with new community facilities, transport infrastructure, open space and employment land.

The “Salden Chase Masterplan and Delivery” SPD sets out a more detailed framework for the proposed Salden Chase development area, which is located to the north east of Aylesbury Vale, north of Newton Longville. The site immediately lies between the A421 to the north, the disused railway line to the south and Far Bletchley to the east.

A total of 5,390 new houses, including affordable homes for local people, new road infrastructure, employment and community facilities are discussed in the draft masterplan for the development site. A new secondary school, four primary schools, open space, playing fields and wildlife habitats are also proposed.

The Conservation Areas SPD has been prepared to provide additional guidance on managing development within areas of special architectural or historic interest. The council has a duty to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of its conservation areas. This means that any new development should be carried out in a way that does not adversely affect these special characteristics.

Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “We really need the input from local residents on the more detailed approaches which will take forward the policies in the Core Strategy, once these are agreed by the independent inspector. It is very important to us that members of the public let us know how they want to see these new communities develop. We all need to work together to ensure that we create places we can all be proud to be part of. Please take time to read the draft documents and give us your comments, which are very important to us.”

Residents will be able to view the documents online by clicking on the link below and submit comments on the proposals using the online consultation form. Copies of the documents will also be available to view at the council offices in Aylesbury, Buckingham and Winslow and selected libraries. Anyone who has commented previously on the Core Strategy will receive a DVD containing all three SPDs and associated documents, through the post, at the start of the consultation period.

The council will also be holding a series of public exhibitions to inform people of the content and role of the documents on:
• Thursday 21 January, 3.30pm to 7pm at Longueville Hall, Newton Longville (focus on Salden Chase)
• Friday 22 January, 3.30pm to 7pm at Chepstow Drive Community Centre, Bletchley (focus on Salden Chase)
• Monday 25 January, 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Bedgrove Pavilion, Bedgrove (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Tuesday 26 January, 3pm to 7pm at Jubilee Hall, Bierton (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Thursday 28 January, 6pm to 9pm at Weston Turville Village Hall (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Friday 29 January, 3pm to 7pm at Watermead Village Hall (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)
• Saturday 30 January, 10am to 4pm at the Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury (focus on Aylesbury Growth Arc)