Even Greater Development Concerns?

As if the news about the Aston Road development wasn't depressing enough, the draft Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) contains further worrying signs for residents of Haddenham.

The draft document claims that, in the next 17 years, Aylesbury Vale needs to build 33,300 new homes — and part of that growth could be achieved by building an entirely new town.

The VALP is only a draft at the moment, and further public consultation will be conducted over the next few months — see here

However, the document claims that we need 21,000 new homes in our area -- and it seems that in addition AVDC needs to includes an extra 12,000 because councils whose areas adjoining the AVDC area won't be able to meet their housing targets. So, Aylesbury Vale will need to make up the shortfall.

AVDC says it is going to challenge this figure, but the Council needs to include it in the plan for the moment.

Where will the new houses go?

Most of the houses will be built around Aylesbury, which will grow by 50% — providing an extra 14,000 new homes.

Buckingham is also due to grow by 50%, as are Haddenham and Winslow.

Wendover is likely to grow by a quarter and that housing could go to the north of the town, which is currently defined as greenbelt, but AVDC says that it may be necessary to reduce the greenbelt area in some places so enough houses can be built.

Haddenham a "New Settlement"

Haddenham was highlighted as a Strategic Settlement some time ago, having been "identified with potential for large scale extension ... taking account of the settlement's existing infrastructure and particularly its relative accessibility."

"Haddenham & Thame Parkway station and the A418 provide a strong level of transport accessibility, and public transport access to a range of larger employment centres"

A rapid read through the draft VALP indicates a target of 1,059 new home for Haddenham, compared with the 430 homes allocated in Haddenham's own Neighbourhood Plan (...remember that?!)

However, if the 'powers that be' decide that Haddenham is to become a New Settlement, the numbers being touted look more like 4,500 new homes!

Oh Dear!