Plan for 3,000 more homes on edge of Aylesbury set for approval again
The Hampden Fields project has been a controversial one
Last updated 1st Mar 2021
A plan to build up to 3,000 more homes on the edge of Aylesbury is back and looks set to be approved today.
The controversial Hampden Fields project, between the A41 and413, has been trying to get going for around a decade.
Phil Yerby is one of those who have been fighting it:
"Very disappointed they are going to approve it, without enough scrutiny in our opinion.
"There are many things wrong with the report and we intend not to stop at this point."
Despite over 5,000 official objections, Bucks Council's planners have recommended the plans, which include employment land, schools and part of the link road, for approval again, saying issues have been addressed.
But Phil says campaigners aren't convinced:
"You can't bring this to committee and approve it now because it clearly has unresolved, unmitigated issues.
"So that it why I say with confidence that this is not over."
Hampden Fields Action Group have spent over £100,000 on fighting the application and have recently carried out more fundraising, which was a success.
Phil told us this shows there is still public backing for their work.
Will permission be given?
Planning permission will only be granted if developers agree to contribute to various 'Section 106' conditions.
These include:
- Off-site bird mitigation
- Sport and recreation facilities off-site
- On-site provision of land employment use
- Park and Ride Facility
- Provision of custom build and care facility
- Provision and maintenance of public open spaces, recreation and play areas
- Travel plans
Developers have promised many of these on their website.
The next phase of Aylesbury's link road would be delivered as part of this project, with a 'dual-carriageway' between the Aston Clinton roundabout - which would be reconfigured at some stage - and Wendover Road.
A decade-long fight
The initial application was made around a decade ago, with plans causing concern ever since.
The former Aylesbury Vale District Council opposed the original application in 2013, with the Hampden Fields Action Group fundraising then to fight the developers.
That was because an official inquiry was started into this and two other proposals around the town.
The case rumbled on for some time, with the government saying no to plans in January 2015.
Later that year developers re-applied for planning permission and the battle continued.
In April 2016, campaigners handed 5,000 letters to AVDC from those against the scheme.
AVDC approved the plans in 2017, but because of that earlier government intervention, they had to send it back to the planning inspectorate.
It's now been back with Bucks Council planners, who look set to say yes today (24/2).