HS2 Environment Statement consulation

The HS2 Environment Statement was published along with the HS2 Hybrid Bill on 25 November. The Environmental Statement details how HS2 Ltd proposes to deal with the impact of their project on the environment. Through Parliament, the government has to gain feedback on the Environmental Statement in advance of the second reading of the Bill in the House of Commons. Responses to the Environmental Statement will then be considered before the second reading of the HS2 Hybrid Bill. The deadline for responding to this consultation is 24 January 2014.

Aylesbury Vale District Council is working on its response to the Environmental Statement and we will publish it on our website once it has been prepared.

The Environmental Statement documents can be accessed at Gov.uk website.

Details of the consultation will be available at Gov.uk and comments should be sent to:
FREEPOST RTEC-AJUT-GGHH
HS2 Phase One Bill Environmental Statement
PO Box 70178
London, WC1A 9HS

Or by email to HS2PhaseOneBillES@dialoguebydesign.com

The deadline for submissions is the 24 January 2014.

The documents relating to the Steeple Claydon area (including the plans for the construction sites, temporary railhead  and infrastructure maintenance depot) can be seen in Steeple Claydon Library (on a PC provided by HS2 for the purpose).

Upgrade for Swan Pool, Buckingham

The Swan Pool and Leisure Centre in Buckingham is in line for a major upgrade after an improvement plan was approved by Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet.

The cabinet decided to proceed with a multi-million pound scheme that will greatly enhance the 17-year-old leisure centre and provide top-class facilities for residents.

It is hoped that the revamped facility could be delivered in the summer of 2015, subject to funding from AVDC’s capital programme and Sport England.

The scheme includes a remodelled entrance area with a two-storey climbing wall, an extended fitness suite, an enlarged crèche/multi-use room and an improved refreshment area. There are also plans to extend and completely refit the wet and dry changing areas.

Work will be phased to keep as many facilities open for use throughout the improvement programme.

Councillor Howard Mordue, Cabinet Member for Leisure and member for Buckingham South, said: “This is a tremendous investment for leisure, not just for Buckingham, but the whole of the north of the district. The Swan Pool and Leisure Centre was opened in 1996 and – after 17 years – is now showing its age. We are determined to deliver a major refurbishment of the site to ensure the leisure centre offers the very best facilities to our residents. One of the council’s priorities is to improve the health of our residents and an improved Swan Pool will help us to achieve this.”

AVDC has submitted a bid to the Sport England Improvement Fund for £500,000. The council should learn early in the new year if the bid has been successful.

Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd, operating under its brand name, Everyone Active, assumed responsibility for the operation of the Swan Pool in Buckingham and Aqua Vale in Aylesbury on behalf of AVDC earlier this year. The leisure operator will work alongside the council to deliver the improvement project.

“We’re thrilled that Aylesbury Vale District Council has decided to embark on these works which will modernise the centre and greatly improve the quality of leisure facilities for the local community”, says Everyone Active Contract Manager Christine Coppack. “Swan Pool and Leisure Centre is a much loved and popular facility. These important works will provide a fresher, more pleasant environment for local residents of all ages to enjoy and be active in.”