The need for new homes
Delivering new homes for future generations
National planning policy sets out a requirement for all local planning authorities to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites against their housing requirement. Buckinghamshire Council is currently operating at a shortfall for its five-year housing land supply for the North and Central Area, with a 3.73-year supply identified over the five-year period from 2025-2030.
This is against the backdrop of a national housing crisis, with people growing up in areas where they will be unable to afford a home if the shortage is not addressed.
At the end of July 2024, there were also 6,857 applications registered on Buckinghamshire’s housing register, Bucks Homes Choice. In line with policy established in the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan, at least 25% of the new homes on site will be made available through a range of affordable tenure types, providing support for those otherwise unable to get onto the housing ladder.
There is therefore a clear identified need for more sustainable and appropriate sites to come forward which can deliver new housing. The proposals will deliver around 195 new high-quality homes for local people at a range of sizes and with plots for custom/self-build.
Landscape-led design
Open green space for all to enjoy
Around a third of the site will be retained as open and accessible green space for both existing and future residents to enjoy. Located to the northwest of the site, this area will be protected and managed in perpetuity, providing space for recreation and opportunities to connect with nature. A range of new play areas will be provided to allow opportunities for children and young people of all ages to play close to home.
The proposals also include a new community orchard, creating an attractive shared space while enhancing the site’s natural environment.
New habitats for wildlife will be created alongside improvements to existing habitats, helping to strengthen local biodiversity and ecology. Overall, the proposals will deliver a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%, leaving nature in a measurably better state than it is today.
A sustainable location
Close to existing amenities and green space
The site is in a sustainable location, within close proximity to a range of existing amenities. This includes restaurants, cafes, a doctor’s surgery and pharmacy.
This also includes existing open green space at Aston Clinton Park, retail outlets along London Road and a few schools all within a 10-minute walk from the site, as well as sports facilities at Chiltern Archery, Aylesbury Rugby and Football Club and Aylesbury Green Park Sub Aqua Club. By having all of these different amenities close to the site it will reduce the need for future residents to travel by car. This ultimately will be good for the environment and will help to keep cars off the road meaning there will be less of an impact on road congestion.
For those who do need to travel by car, the site is a five-minute drive to the A41, providing good connections to other towns and villages across the wider area.
