Buckinghamshire Council has announced that plans are progressing to continue the regeneration of the town of Aylesbury.
Thanks to the cabinet agreeing on plans for two key locations at the heart of the town, new public spaces and homes will help improve connectivity around Aylesbury, as well as improving economic activity. This regeneration comes as part of the council’s £5 million of investment in the town centre.
The first development will be on the site of a former bingo hall, which has been empty for a number of years and will improve connections within the town centre and deliver a new public space for people living and working in Aylesbury. This will also connect the high street and the exchange, which will improve economic activity in the town centre.
Delivering new homes, the redevelopment of the Old County Offices will also see 46 new properties being developed in the heart of the town. Whilst it has already been granted planning permission for the new homes, market conditions had slowed the project, however this issue has now been overcome thanks to the council’s securing of Brownfield Land Release Funding. This funding now means that the development can move forward, making use of a space that has been empty since the offices were vacated a decade ago.
Both developments come as part of the council’s Aylesbury Regeneration Strategy that was agreed by the council last year for the wider ‘Regenerating Bucks’ strategy. The regeneration strategy will work to create ‘vibrant and attractive’ town centres that will improve the spaces on offer for residents, businesses and visitors.
Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration, Rachael Matthews, said:
“The Gala Bingo site has been sitting empty for years and is in a key location at the heart of the town. It’s always been earmarked for regeneration so it’s great news that we’re in a position to move plans forward for the site. Likewise, it’s also now many years since the Old County Offices were vacated and I’m really pleased we’re now in a position to create attractive new homes in the town centre that will be developed in this heritage site.
“There is a great amount of activity in and around Aylesbury that we’re driving forward to unlock the potential of the town and make it an even better place to work, live and do business in. We’re bringing forward empty sites, improving connectivity, and delivering visible improvements while retaining and enhancing the heritage features of our attractive market town. These are exciting times, and we will keep business, residents and other stakeholders fully updated as these plans progress.”
Other work ongoing to improve Aylesbury town centre include the upgrading of lighting and power in the market square, and making permanent some of the street arrangements that were introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Image credit: iStock
