Electricity
Aylesbury Vale Advantage (AVA) has been working with EDF Energy, the Distribution Network Operator, and a consortia of private sector interests to ensure that Aylesbury has sufficient Electricity Supply capacity to allow for projected housing and employment growth.
Currently EDF Energy are undertaking design work required to determine the network configuration and to define a project cost. It is envisaged that the new supply capacity will be delivered in two phases commencing in 2010.
Keeping Aylesbury moving
Aylesbury Vale Advantage allocated nearly £1m to help deliver transport projects instigated by Bucks County Council. These projects will deliver improvements on some of Aylesbury’s existing roads by identifying such issues as:
- Changes or improvements at Aylesbury’s key junctions.
- The future growth in traffic as a result of an increased population and the growing attractions in Aylesbury town centre.
- Options to deliver road infrastructure on the urban fringe of Aylesbury; once the allocated sites for housing and employment growth have been approved.
Tackling congestion
Aylesbury Vale Advantage made a contribution from its growth area funds towards a traffic management control system for the area.
The system, led by Buckinghamshire County Council, introduced such benefits as easing the way for public transport on main routes, co-ordinating traffic lights and desiging road markings to enable more vehicles to use the existing road space.
The £4.5m project was largely funded by Homes and Communities Agency’s Community Infrastructure Fund .
Preparing for a vision for the town centre
Aylesbury Vale Advantage facilitated a town centre programme team to consider a dynamic future for Aylesbury town centre.
As part of the groundwork,AVA commissioned the consultancy firm ARUP to deliver the draft plan which covers five main topics, including cultural and leisure facilities, good design of buildings and public areas and easy access. We also consulted widely to ensure a vast range of views were considered.
The guiding principles that can create a high quality town centre are contained in a range of documents that are being presented to local councillors in June. Once these principles are agreed, Aylesbury Vale District Council take up the baton to deliver the vision.
New Theatre
Aylesbury’s theatre is the talk of the town! The construction work is progressing well as the final shape is now clearly recognisable.
This project forms the first phase of the Waterside development. Aylesbury Vale District Council is leading the renewal of Aylesbury town centre. Completion is expected in Spring 2010 and the opening of the theatre in late summer / early autumn. Planning is now underway to deliver the enhancements to the immediate environment which will include a large open public space at the front of the theatre.
The concept for the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was developed by Aylesbury Vale District Council and internationally-renowned theatre designers, RHWL Arts Team. Willmott Dixon were chosen to construct the theatre.
The theatre is of regional proportion with a 1,200-seat auditorium that converts into a 1,800-capacity hall for standing events, and a 225-seat suite for smaller events including dance, drama, meetings and conferences.
Around 300,000 people from across Aylesbury Vale and beyond are expected to visit the new theatre each year to enjoy a dynamic and diverse programme of live performances which will be managed by ATG; the second largest theatre operator in the UK. The programme will be an exciting mix of West End shows, comedy, dance, concerts, gigs, pantomime, as well as international opera and ballet.
Click the images for an enlargement
Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station
Choice in public transport forms part of the wider sustainability agenda for the growth in Aylesbury Vale. Parkway Station offers this choice to the future residents of the Berryfields housing development, providing a direct route to London via Marylebone station. Residents from Steeple Claydon, Westcott, Quainton or Waddesdon who are season ticket holders can simply hop on the Route 16 bus and enjoy a free ride to the station to meet their train.
Adrian Shooter, AVA Board Member and Chairman of Chiltern Railways, said, ‘We are always looking to invest and open new services that give our passengers options and an easier way to travel and Aylesbury Vale Parkway certainly does that. We’re particularly proud that Aylesbury Vale Parkway opened in June because we completed this project some 18 months early, which is testament to what can be achieved by working in partnership with local authorities.”
This new station, with parking for 500 vehicles and ‘park & ride’ links integrates car, bus and rail traffic and forms part of Aylesbury’s recently completed integrated transport interchange scheme. This scheme incorporates a public transport hub, a revamped bus station, improved pedestrian and cycle access from the south of the town via Bourg Walk bridge and ring road improvements and provides Aylesbury with a transport system that will support Aylesbury’s current and future growth.
Bourg Walk Bridge
Aylesbury’s Bourg Walk bridge has won The Institution of Civil Engineers Engineering Excellence Award 2009.
The steel architectural design and build of Bourg Walk bridge and the boulevard was enabled by a Government Community Infrastructure Fund grant of approximately £8 million. More than 100 builders were involved over the period of nearly 15 months using some 380 tonnes of steel and 2,615 tonnes of concrete. The bridge itself is 260 metres long and 4.6 metres wide with a mast which stands 35 metres high.
The first impressions of Aylesbury for rail users and pedestrians from the south of the town is now one of space and light. The new landscaping of the station forecourt, the curved staircases leading to the car park, the graceful curved shape of Bourg Walk bridge and the tree lined access to Friarage Road create a positive environment for able and disabled visitors alike.
Enamelled art work on the walls of the underpass on Great Western Street invites the visitor into the town centre where the new architectural meets with the traditional buildings edging the ‘shared space’ in front of the Travel Information Centre. A journey through change, a journey which epitomises ‘Aylesbury…..(is) a great place to grow’!
Waterside
Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) and Warner Estate have expressed their confidence in Aylesbury’s future by investing in this multi-million pound retail development.
Phase 1 of this 3 phased build is currently underway; AVDC’s new theatre will be completed in the first half of 2010.
The remaining phases will result in a mixed use development. Warner Estate are to expand their retail holdings in Hale Leys by building on the current site of the Civic Centre and swimming pool on Exchange Street. The development expands Aylesbury’s retail offer by introducing a 80,000 sq ft Debenham’s department store to Aylesbury and a further 30 shops. In addition, a 30,900 sq ft Waitrose foodstore will be located on the south side of the road between the existing Bear Brook and the canal to facilitate the creation of a large public space in front of the theatre. There are also plans for the construction of some 150 new dwelling, a 800 space multi-storey car park and a range of cafes and restaurants.
AVDC’s planning department and Bucks County Council’s transport planning department are working together to model the increase in pedestrian volumes and traffic access to both sites to ensure the safety of theatre goers and shoppers as they cross and travel down Exchange Street.
This exciting new retail expansion is the first stage in the proposal to renew Aylesbury town centre. Aylesbury Town Centre Master Plan (2009 – 2021) a project which has been led by Aylesbury Vale Advantage. This planning is at a draft stage. The aim is to rekindle the vibrancy of the town centre with further changes to the retail offer and a varied range of cultural, leisure and business premises in Aylesbury.
(Click the the images above for a larger view)
Weedon Hill
Construction of this major 48.6 hectares new development is underway. 328 homes have been completed; many of which are occupied.
With 850 homes, the completed development will form the basis for a balanced community, combining homes for families, couples and single residents within an attractive environment and supported by a range of services & facilities.
The principal developers involved, Taylor Wimpey, Careys and Persimmon are building a mix of housing types, including affordable and shared ownership homes which are being built to a very good Ecohomes standard, coupled with features that include:
- Local community centre (to include sports facilities)
- Parks, 3 play areas and open spaces
- Combined School
- Retail & food outlets
As part of the development’s sustainable environmental approach a series of landscaped ponds form part of a drainage and flood prevention system. A ‘Park-and-ride’ facility is also planned for the north of the site, on the A413.
As the community develops future facilities could include, a local ‘Pub’ and a selection of ‘live’ work units. A new Health Centre will be built in nearby Berryfields.
Aylesbury Vale District Council is the lead agency for this development.
Berryfields
Development of the Berryfields major development area (MDA) with outline planning permission for 3,000 new homes has stalled as a result of the economic crisis and its impact on the construction industry. During this period AVA continues to work closely with the development consortium to explore a variety of measures to assist delivery.
The completion of Parkway Station is an example of how AVA have worked with partners in targeting the implementation of necessary public works to ensure forward provision of infrastructure to ease the release of new development sites for when the commercial market improves.
Berryfields is situated on the north-west outskirts of Aylesbury and spans some 185 hectares either side of the A41 and is one of two current major development areas (MDAs) within Aylesbury Town, the other being Weedon Hill to the east of it.
The overall development has been the subject of close negotiations between AVDC, key stakeholders and the principal developers to ensure the creation of a balanced and sustainable community and great emphasis has been placed on the quality and mix of housing types, provision of services, facilities, transport links, green spaces, play & recreation areas, biodiversity and environmental sustainability. This responsible approach led to the establishment of a developers’ consortium; see logos above.
Key facts:
- 3000 new homes (30% affordable housing)
- Additional 10% low cost homes
- 3 Schools with community wide facilities
- 13 Equipped play areas
- 30 hectares of parks & informal ‘open spaces’
- Riverside park area & landscaped ‘buffer’ zones
- Integrated network of footpaths, cycleways & bridleways
- New drainage and flood risk prevention
- Community centre ( + eventual new health centre)
- District retail sector
- Community Arts funding
- 9 hectares employment zone
- Infrastructure & access improvements
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