Agenda item

Members will receive a programme update on the Aylesbury Garden Town programme and Aylesbury town centre activity.

Contributors:

Cllr Martin Tett, Leader of the Council

Claire Phillips, Head of Strategy & Partnerships

The Committee received an update from Cllr Martin Tett, Leader of the Council, Cllr Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration and Lisa Michelson, Service Director, Economic Growth and Regeneration, on the Aylesbury Garden Town.

The following points were highlighted:

·       The Aylesbury Garden Town was important for the economic growth agenda around Aylesbury. The project would aim to improve the town establishing it as an excellent place to live. Improvements were aimed at housing, green infrastructure, leisure centres and the town centre.

·       Bids for levelling up funds had been submitted for the regeneration of the bus station, south east ring road and the Gardenway. The result of these bids would be revealed by the end of 2022. Various Aylesbury wards had been identified as targeted wards for Opportunity Bucks, the Council’s local levelling up initiative. There are 4 work streams within the programme -  workforce & employment, skills & development, public health and public realm. These work streams would be used to improve lives of local residents and target those in certain wards.

·       Following the transformation of Aylesbury in the 1960’s, the historic centre of the town was replaced. This created areas within Aylesbury with distinctly different styles.

·       The Council owns the County Hall, as well as Friar’s Square. The Economic Growth and Regeneration Team would be looking in detail at redevelopment plans for these areas to find an appropriate style.

·       The projects for the area would need to be conducted in partnership with various organisations due to the substantial cost. Discussions had taken place with the Local Enterprise Partnership on how to leverage funding into the area. There would also be the need for major private sector funding. Significant challenges had arisen from massive inflation which has especially affected the construction sector. Local MPs, such as Rob Butler, had been very supportive of lobbying for funding.

During discussion, comments and questions raised by the Committee included:

·       The final decision on the character of town had not yet been decided, this would involve significant consultation with various stakeholders. Input from local people would be important for this.

·       Town centre regeneration was an identified ambition as part of the masterplan. Detailed proposals would be brought to Cabinet during 2023. This would look at opportunities and challenges, as well as how the Council could best influence its investment. Stakeholders and the public will be involved and input from local people will be sought.

·       A distinct style for the regeneration had not been identified, and there was an aim ito find a durable approach, and not something that would fall out of fashion quickly.

·       The Aylesbury Masterplan went to public consultation in 2020, and was adopted by the Council. Further updates had been included in press releases and ongoing communication would be pursued as necessary. Thought would be given to the method which would be most effective when disruption from the projects would occur.

·         There were areas of significant deprivation in Buckinghamshire, and measures such as those included in the Aylesbury Garden Town aimed to address this. Enhancement of communities, infrastructure and levelling up priorities would improve the lives of local residents.

·         Planning processes for large developments, often dependent on infrastructure projects would be slow. The delivery of infrastructure projects would be key, especially with the large housing growth expected in Aylesbury. It is important to not rush the process to ensure the correct outcome.