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.

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

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 .

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) recognise the need to review the infrastructure, retail and leisure offer of the Town Centre and requested AVA to commission background studies and plans to inform its renaissance.  This work is complete and is currently being reviewed due to the Regional Spatial Strategy and Milton Keynes South Midlands Sub-regional Spatial Strategy having been revoked.  AVDC are undertaking that review as an integral part of the development of the Town Centre Implementation Plan.

The Waterside Theatre opened on the 12^th October with the award–winning and breathtaking Northern Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake.

As the first new theatre of the decade in Britain, the Waterside Theatre holds a unique position in theatre history.  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

The theatre’s name reflects its location as it is situated beside the Grand Union Canal, to the south of Aylesbury. The train and bus station are a 5 minutes walk away as is access to the town centre’s restaurants, pubs and hospitality areas in Market Square and Kingsbury Square.

The concept for the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was developed by Aylesbury Vale District Council and internationally-renowned theatre designers, RHWL Arts Team.  The theatre has 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.

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 autumn 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 includes plans for a Debenham’s department store 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 homes, a 800 space multi-storey car park and a range of cafes and restaurants.

This exciting new retail expansion is the first stage in the proposal to renew Aylesbury town centre. Aylesbury Town Centre Plan (2009 – 2021) a project which has been led by Aylesbury Vale Advantage. This planning is at a draft stage.

(Click the the images above for a larger view)

Construction of this major 48.6 hectares new development is underway.  By late 2010 about half the homes on site are completed and many occupied.  Construction of the final two residential phases is due to start in 2011.

With permission granted for up to 1,035 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, Bryants, Careys and Persimmon are building a mix of housing types, including affordable and shared ownership homes as well as market homes, 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 ’detention basins’ and ditches form part of a drainage and flood prevention system. 

As the community develops future facilities could include a care home and a ’Park-and-Ride’ facility.

The construction of housing at Berryfields began in July 2010 as a direct result of AVA’s success in brokering agreements and the use of growth funds to unlock other issues. 

More information on the progression of the first phase of the development called Berry Vale, can be found here:  Berry Vale.   Preparation for the highway infrastructure enabled the opening of the show home in October 2010.   30 new homes are now under construction, 3 are now occupied with the aim of increasing this to 10 by the end of January 2011.

The 187 hectare site called Berryfields will accommodate 3,000 homes, however, Berryfields is more than just housing.  The delivery of community facilities (including open space and parks), areas for employment, new super fast broadband connectivity, a food store,10 other smaller shops, and the delivery of up to three schools will together provide wider community wide benefits.  One of these schools will be a state of the art Academy.

Issues of sustainable access are also being addressed with the access road to the neighbouring Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station already being in place.  An integrated transport interchange in support of the bus network which connects commuters from across the Vale (and beyond) is located here. The master plan for the development also includes an integrated network of footpaths, cycle ways and bridleways.