AYLESBURY TOWN COUNCIL

PLANNING COMMITTEE

21 June 2005

Present:

Councillors: M Nazir, S Mitchell (in the Chair), M Smith, G Webster, M Willis

Also present

Cllrs J Newman and Mrs Denise Summers

Members of the Communiqué/ Fairview New Homes team, including Mr Steven Gough, Planning Director, Fairview New Homes, Mr Colin Pullan, Associate Urban Designer, RPS, Mr Stuart Slatter, Principal Planner, Fairview New Homes, Ms Kate Ives, Planner, Fairview New Homes and Ms Lorna Byrne, PR, Communiqué, all to make a presentation on the proposed redevelopment of the former Nestle factory site, High St, Aylesbury

Officers:

Mrs Margaret Wagstaffe, Town Clerk, Aylesbury Town Council

 Presentation

Members of the team informed the meeting that Fairview New Homes had acquired the former Nestle factory compound in August 2004 when the previous applicant to develop the location withdrew. Following an analysis and fresh appraisal of the site they made a decision to remove all buildings and the telecoms mast, but with the exception of the external wall surrounding the site. The team met the Aylesbury Society early in June 2005 for consultations and intend to commence work on the site early in 2006; therefore they need to submit planning applications in the near future. However, they are first holding discussions with interested parties.

The team observed that this is a prominent gateway site, close to the town centre, Vale Park, the Grand Union Canal, High St and Park St bridges and residential housing. Whilst exploring the potential of the site they addressed access and parking issues, the height, scale and mass of possible development options and the need to retain landmark features such as the perimeter wall and the clock tower.

They proposed a solution offering a range of one, two and three bedroom flats (totalling 136 units; 30% "affordable" accommodation), landscaping and open spaces, with mainly underground parking; resonating sympathetically with the industrial heritage of the site and in keeping with the surrounding townscape.

Elevations on all three sides of the proposed scheme consist of broken mass frontages which reflect the character of the industrial buildings formerly on the site. The Canal side will be well supplied with balconies to enable enjoyment of the waterfront and will be sympathetic to other wharf side buildings.

In response to queries from members of the Town Council, the team explained that after extensive consultation they had decided that they could not redevelop the existing buildings, that they had expedited the clearance of the site in order to leave the area safe before the Christmas break; there would be easy access to the new development for pedestrians and cyclist but it would be more difficult for people to drive in and park; that the new streets and paths would be adopted by the Highways Department; that trees would be planted around the periphery and that whilst they had been strongly influenced by aesthetic and social considerations, if the site was not to be economically viable no future development could take place.

When asked about loss of an employment site and if they had considered work/live units they replied that issues of egress and site location had led them to discount the possibility of any commercial element in the scheme. They felt that there would be adequate access for cleansing teams to service the canal side. With regard to problems of egress at rush hour, multi-car ownership and overspill parking: egress is no more difficult than from other locations, and all potential buyers will be made aware of the parking allocation (1.2 spaces per unit) and the congested nature of the surrounding area. It will be difficult for residents from surrounding areas to park within the development. There are no plans to replace the telecoms tower. They will consider providing broadband facilities as an integral part of the scheme

The team finished their presentation by informing those present that they would be holding a public exhibition with opportunities for feedback from Aylesbury people.

The team left the meeting at 7.30pm.

P174	Apologies for Absence
	None declared
P175	Declarations of Interest
	None declared.
P176	Minutes
	RESOLVED That the minutes of a meeting of the Planning Committee held on 31 May 2005 be approved and signed as an accurate record.
P177	Planning Applications
	RESOLVED That the observations detailed in Annex 1 be submitted to Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) or Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) as appropriate.
P178	Feedback on Planning Application Observations
	RESOLVED That the report detailing feedback from the AVDC on planning application observations submitted by the Town Council be received and noted.         SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA

P179 Aylesbury Methodist Community Centre Project

P179 Chiltern Conservation Design Statement

Noted

 There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 10.00pm

Signed 

Cllr S Mitchell, Chair of Planning 

M Wagstaffe Town Clerk