History

Aylesbury Vale’s roots go back a long way and are firmly embedded in the history of the region. The earliest indication of a community was in the Bronze Age.  In 571 AD the town was given its first name: Aiglerburgh.  Mentioned in the Doomsday Book, by  the 13th and possibly even the 12th century the market was the central focus of life for the people of Aylesbury, contributing as much to the local economy as to social relations with neighbouring hamlets.

Aylesbury is the County Town of Buckinghamshire, a town which has seen significant growth in population due to the migration of people from London (1950 – 70’s) as part of the increasing affluence and mobility of the population as a whole.  These changes led to the development of a wider retail offer within the town centre though the historic quarter of the town, near St. Mary’s Church is still well worth a visit.

During the previous government’s term in office the (then) Office of The Deputy Prime Minister (now Communities and Local Government) proposed a large scale expansion of housing and employment within the UK to meet the national shortage in housing supply. Aylesbury Vale was expected to expand by c. 21,000 homes as part of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub Regional Spatial Strategy, itself part of the Regional Spatial Strategy; the South East Plan.  This Regional Spatial Strategy has now been revoked by the current government and though Aylesbury is likely to continue to expand the size and rate of growth is likely to be lower.  Final expansion figures will be determined by the Localism Bill and the progress of The Vale of Aylesbury Plan.

Over the last six years Aylesbury Vale Advantage has worked closely with its partners to facilitate the delivery of sustainable infrastructure,housing and employment in support of creating new communities in the District and with our new targets for 2011 -12 will continue to support Aylesbury Vale District Council in the delivery of The Vale of Aylesbury Plan.

Today Aylesbury continues to expand; a new community at Weedon Hill is near to completion and new retail, employment, leisure and cultural offers on Exchange Street are are due completion by 2013.  A second larger community is under constructtion at Berryfields to the north west of Aylesbury.

Geography

Strategically positioned close to the M40 and A41, but located amidst beautiful countryside, Aylesbury Vale is ideally situated.

Amongst the major centres that are within easy reach are:

• Milton Keynes
• Oxford
• Northampton
• London
• Heathrow Airport
• Reading
• Luton Airport.

Milton Keynes and Heathrow are within 45 minutes of Aylesbury.

Aylesbury Vale Advantage works closely with its partners to facilitate improvements to transport links, including a rail extension and additional roads.