“Autumn is the time of year when nature starts to slow down in preparation for winter. Here at Aylesbury Vale Advantage our activities have increased: So much so that we have expanded our staff levels.
Ben Ruston joins us from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for two days a week. Ben leads on the Buckingham Growth Area Fund project and the evidence base in support of the Housing Trajectory. Paul McKim is advising AVA, development partners and promoters of the South East Strategic Development Area in advance of the Local Development Framework which will steer the growth of Aylesbury Vale till 2026. Tracey Aldworth (AVDC) manages our relationship with current inward investment and economic development activities. Our fourth new staff member is Marcus Rogers who is seconded to us from Bucks County Council for 2 days a week. Marcus leads the Aylesbury Town Centre Master Plan project and our Infrastructure Planning Board (IPB), a team of District and County Officers. The IPB is reviewing our Schedule of Infrastructure requirements to inform the Developer Contributions SPD. Our thanks to the representatives of the Emergency Services, Aylesbury College and the Primary Care Trust for attending and contributing to the work of the IPB.
The economic recession has affected our housing delivery target but not as severely as in other areas of the country. The delivery of the housing continues in Aylesbury Vale. Examples are the further phases of development occurring now at Weedon Hill, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and The (ex) Princess Mary Hospital site in Wendover. The receipt of new planning applications for housing by AVDC also suggests there is confidence in the housing market within the District.
Maintaining the rate of growth by removing blockages to the future delivery of housing is a key focus for AVA; for example at the Berryfields development area to the north west of Aylesbury. AVA has built strong partnerships with the private / public sector and the national programme of support which the HCA offers and is examining all options to facilitate the commencement of construction at this site; an approach which was supported at the last AVA Board meeting. I look forward to reporting on our housing delivery successes and how these may, for Aylesbury Vale, reflect the (nation’s) ‘green shoots of economic recovery’ in the early new year”.
Richard Harrington
Managing Director – Aylesbury Vale Advantage
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