Work begins on Berryfields development
The first phase of the latest major new development in the Aylesbury Vale area got underway today when contractors began work on the Berryfields site, north-west of Aylesbury town centre.
When complete, Berryfields will accommodate 3,000 homes, community facilities and areas for employment opportunities. Around a quarter of the homes will be affordable and all will have access to super-fast Broadband. An access road to neighbouring Aylesbury Parkway Station is already in place.
There is provision for three schools – two primary schools and the proposed state-of- the-art Aylesbury Academy. The purpose-built academy will offer students skills in specialist science and technology and include the very latest ICT technology.
Opposite the academy will be a local centre, which will include a food store and 10 other smaller shops. Elsewhere will be units for employment and 72 hectares of parks and green open spaces, which will include 13 equipped play areas.
The first tranche of new homes on the 187 hectare site will be ready for occupation next year. Taylor Wimpey is the first developer to begin work, with others following later in the year.
Councillor Michael Edmonds, Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “We are one of the most prosperous and fastest growing areas of the country and the start of work on Berryfields is a significant milestone in the continuing development of the Vale.”
Martin Tett, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said: “We have worked closely with our partners to ensure the Berryfields development provides a real community for people. We’ve not only made provisions for schools, community and adult learning facilities but we are also encouraging businesses to locate to the area as the development has nine hectares of land allocated for employment and a link road between the A41 and the A413.
Steve Rolt, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, said: “Berryfields is an exciting new community offering a wealth of choice for all home-buyers and fulfilling a long-standing need to provide high-quality housing for local people.
“Located on the edge of picturesque open countryside, yet within easy reach of Aylesbury town centre, Berryfields looks set to become the destination of choice for house-hunters in the area. The new homes will enjoy superb transport links, schools and community facilities, plus acres of public open space on the doorstep.”
Richard Harrington, Managing Director of Aylesbury Vale Advantage, the delivery agency company partly funded by the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency, said: “Fortunately, we were able to use growth funds to unlock problems that could have further delayed the start of this work. This is an important development for Aylesbury Vale and will go a good way to demonstrate what the town can offer. We are concentrating on preparing other major development sites to provide housing, employment and community facilities for this popular and growing area.”
Ian Steed, Area Manager at the Homes and Communities Agency, said: “The HCA has worked closely with Aylesbury Vale District Council and our partners to unlock this important site after the economic downturn put plans on hold. I’m delighted that work is now underway and the local community will soon begin to benefit from sustainable and affordable places to live and work.”
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