VALP Schedule Slips Again

The lack of a completed and Government approved Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) for the last several years has meant that AVDC has lacked a strong strategic framework by which it could resist the planning applications of opportunist developers, and Haddenham has been a favoured location.

We learned today (Friday 23rd June), courtesy of Planning Resource magazine, that AVDC is delaying the publication of its local plan due to the need for extra time to complete 'a critical piece' of the plan's evidence base.

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) said it would be extending the timetable for publishing its proposed submission plan, following "a slight delay" to the final Sustainability Appraisal supporting the plan.

The Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan sets out plans for around 27,000 new homes across the district by 2033 — around half of which is already completed or has planning permission.

The Sustainability Appraisal, the council says, is "a critical piece of evidence which will feed into the breadth and depth of the plan's content and it is vital that sufficient time is allowed for it to be completed properly."

The council says that work on the plan — which had been scheduled to be approved by members this July — will continue through the summer, and the proposed submission plan will now be considered by scrutiny committee on 26th September, and by cabinet and full council in October.

The plan would then be submitted to an independent examination in January — two months later than previously publicised.

"We believe this short extension is essential to making absolutely sure we have all the necessary evidence to support us in this goal," said Carole Paternoster, AVDC's cabinet member for growth strategy.

"Central government have informally advised that their priority is to ensure we are progressing with a sound plan, and that they understand the need for a short extension."

The council said the plan is "incredibly complex" and that "getting it right is AVDC's priority".

Meanwhile let's enjoy the view of Aylesbury Vale — this ball's up on Coombe Hill !