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.
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 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)
Weedon Hill
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.
Berryfields
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.
