Buckingham Fact Pack July 2011

The Vale of Aylesbury Plan Buckingham Fact Pack July 2011

Contents

Section Page

1 Introduction page 3 2 Location and Setting page 6 3 Story of Place page 8 4 Fact File page 12 5 Issues Facing the Town page 50 6 Town Constraints page 54 7 Annex page 60

Cover Photo – View to The Church of St Peter and St Paul, taken by Chris Nyborg July 2006. Searched 11 April 2011 online at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Buckingham_PeterandPaulParishChurch01.JPG

1. Introduction

Purpose of the document

This Fact Pack document was initially produced in 2010 to help inform the town/parish council about the characteristics of their parish for the ‘community view’ consultation. This consultation was undertaken early on in the preparation of the Vale of Aylesbury Plan as part of a bottom up approach embracing localism and aiming to get local communities more involved in the planning process. The town/parish council were asked to consult with their community on the following:

 The level of future housing and/or employment development up to 2031, including specific types of homes, employment and other development  The location, sizes and phasing of development  The types of infrastructure (social, community, physical) needed to enable development, including where it should be located  Any other issues relating to planning and development

This Fact Pack document has also been used to support neighbourhood planning by providing evidence for the context of the neighbourhood plan, including information on housing, employment, infrastructure and the environment.

This Fact Pack document has also been used to support the Vale of Aylesbury Plan Settlement Hierarchy Assessment. This forms part of the evidence that classifies settlements into different categories, where different levels of growth are apportioned to over the next 20 years.

The document also forms part of the background work relating to Neighbourhood Plans as well as the production of the Vale of Aylesbury Plan. The Fact Pack does not form planning policy for Aylesbury Vale.

What the Fact Pack includes

The content of the Fact Pack reflects the size of the parish or town, providing the most detail for larger villages/towns which are likely to experience greater levels of growth, compared to smaller parishes/villages which are likely to experience less growth. Smaller parish’s Fact Packs have a more limited content in the Fact Packs. Fact Packs for larger villages/towns identify the following information:

 Location and setting within the district (relationship to other settlements)  Story of place (how the parish has developed from its origins to the present day)  Issues facing the parish (e.g. infrastructure and local services deficits)  Social demographics (population, age profile, social groups, levels of deprivation and crime levels)

 Economic profile (allocated employment sites, change of use to employment looking back 5 years, sectors of employment, levels of economic activity, distances travelled to work and broadband speeds)  Local service provision (retail, healthcare, leisure, public open space, tourism, and education)  Housing profile (dwelling types, tenure, occupancy, past completions and commitments, average house prices, housing needs waiting list and gypsy and traveller sites)  Transport infrastructure (road network, cars per household, public transport provision)  Environmental constraints (maps to identify agricultural land quality, landscape sensitivities, biodiversity constraints, flooding and historic constraints)

Fact Packs for smaller parishes/villages identify the following information:

 Location and setting within the district (relationship to other settlements)  Social demographics (population and age profile)  Housing profile (dwelling types, tenure, occupancy, past completions and commitments, average house prices, housing needs waiting list and gypsy and traveller sites)  Economic profile (employment change of B use classes looking back 5 years, sectors of employment and levels of economic activity)  Issues facing the parish (e.g. infrastructure and local services deficits)  Environmental constraints (maps to identify agricultural land quality, landscape sensitivities, biological constraints, flooding and historic constraints)

Where possible information in the Fact Pack has been supplemented with information from the town/parish council to draw upon local knowledge, particularly for the section on issues relating to the parish. Some town/parish councils have also published the document on their website for the community to view and use.

In addition to this Fact Pack, a district wide Fact Pack has been written to develop an understanding at the strategic level on the availability of infrastructure, services, facilities, planning issues and environmental constraints. This can be viewed on our website1.

Availability of data

Statistics identified in the Fact Pact are primarily from Census data (2001), AVDC monitoring data (updated annually) and research carried out by Buckinghamshire County Council. There are also a number of websites that have been used to retrieve information, such as crime statistics, broadband coverage and housing sales. Where possible, parish level data has been used. If this level of data is not available super output area (SOA) boundaries or ward boundaries have been used (often these cover a larger area than just the settlement). The boundaries of the parish, SOA and ward can be viewed on map 1 in this document.

1 District Fact Pack http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local‐development‐plans/planning‐policy/vale‐of‐aylesbury‐ plan‐/fact‐packs/ 4

This Fact Pack is a ‘living document’ which is intended to be regularly updated. Information contained within the Fact Pack is correct at the time of writing. It is acknowledged that some of the information may change over time and the Fact Packs will be updated accordingly.

2. Location and Setting

Buckingham is the second largest town in the district, approximately 16 miles north of Aylesbury, 13 miles to Milton Keynes, 10 miles to the nearest border with Northamptonshire and 7 miles to the nearest border with Oxfordshire. The town is a focal point for housing, employment, administrative and community facilities in northern Aylesbury Vale. Buckingham is a civil parish designated as a town council.

To the north, Buckingham adjoins another settlement, Maids Moreton which itself contains 940 people.2 Buckingham is well connected on rural road networks in the County and into Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. The key routes are the A413 south to Aylesbury/north to Towcester, A422 to Brackley or Stony Stratford, A421 to Milton Keynes or the A43 south. Buckingham sits prominently in the landscape ‐ topography, the church spire, the River Great Ouse play an important part of the town’s setting.

Super Output Super Output Area Area 7647 7646

Super Output Area 7648

Super Output Area Super Output Area 7644 7645

Super Output Area 7649 Super Output Area 7650

Parish Boundary Ward Boundary Super Output Areas Boundaries

2 2001 census 6

The above map shows that Buckingham is covered by one town council area, two wards and 7 super output areas. Facts and figures have been identified relating to these three different geographical boundaries depending on the source of the information. In general, all Census data is provided at parish level, AVDC Local Area Profile data relates to Super Output Areas (SOA) and Hometrack Housing Intelligence System relates to the ward level.

3. Story of Place

Origins of Buckingham

The town of Buckingham dates back to 650 when St Rumbold was buried and the 9th century when an outpost was erected by Alfred The Great to defend against the Danes. The town increased in importance because of this strategic and military importance, occupying a defensible bend of a river adjacent the upper valley of the Great Ouse. In the middle ages, the town became an important centre for pilgrimage. Buckingham became the County town in the year 888 although the administrative importance declined as towns further south established themselves in the region’s wool trade.

Source: Buckingham Conservation Area Appraisal Document, 2004

Old Buckingham. Source – Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society – in Buckingham Conservation Area, 2005

Consolidating the settlement

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the town became an important centre for tanning. However a fire of 1725 destroyed 138 buildings and left over 500 people homeless. The town was slow to recover economically although it remained important for coaching trade between London and the Midlands and Oxford‐Cambridge. A railway line and an Arm of the Grand Union Canal briefly improved the local economy (including for transporting coal, building materials, agricultural produce and wood) although both were closed in the 1960s. Source: Buckingham Conservation Area Appraisal Document, 2004

Stowe

To the northwest of Buckingham not far beyond the parish boundary is the nationally significant site of Stowe, consisting of Stowe House, now a school, and the landscape gardens. Sir Richard Temple, 3rd Baronet, commissioned a new house in 1676 to reflect his family's increasing fortune and influence. Designed by William Cleare and completed in 1683, it marked the beginning of the wholesale expansion of the landscape surrounding the mansion.

Earl Temple inherited Stowe in 1749. He extensively remodelled the house, developing the magnificent South Front along the lines of plans by Robert Adam, and reworking the North Front with colonnades and arches. Since Stowe School opened in May 1923, the interior has been overhauled to include classrooms, dormitories and a new chapel.

Stowe Landscape Gardens and Garden Buildings are National Trust property, open to the public during certain times of the year and the House is currently undergoing a lengthy 6 phase restoration programme by the Stowe House Preservation Trust. Phases 1 and 2 have been completed as at March 2011 including restoration to the magnificent Marble Saloon. Further information can be found at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w‐vh/w‐visits/w‐ findaplace/w‐stowegardens/w‐stowegardens‐history.htm

Evolution and change in the 20th century

There were two notable events following the Second World War. Firstly, the creation and expansion of Milton Keynes new town from 1967 with supporting infrastructure and brief to become a ‘city in scale’. The proximity of Milton Keynes and the arrival of significant road traffic with the motorways posed a potential danger to the character of Buckingham and its environs. Parts of the town were designated as a Conservation Area in 1971. Buckingham gained a University College in 1973 and Royal Charter as a privately‐funded university in 1983.

Data source: University of Buckingham at http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/life/buck/bucktown/eighteen.html. and Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org Searched 26.10.10

Photo ‐ University of Buckingham building, Chandos Road at http://buckinghamdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

The following planning permissions for major developments were important milestones in the growth of Buckingham (not exhaustive record):‐

 1977 – major residential development at Linden Village, Stratford Road  1979 – 231 dwellings for the Badgers Estate (Phase 1), Bourton Road  1990 ‐ major residential development at Heartlands, Bourton Road  1992 ‐ retail food store, petrol station and car park on the corner of the A421 and London Road – this was occupied by Tesco  1994 – 70 units and public open space were allowed on appeal at Page Hill (a later phase of a development that started in the 1970s) and then granted detailed planning consent  1995 ‐ 340 dwellings at Mount Pleasant, Lenborough Road

The Buckingham Borough Development Company Ltd played an important role in providing the infrastructure needed to foster further development around the town into the 1980s. This infrastructure included the Buckingham bypass (now A421 and A413 bypasses to the south and east of the town), community centre and the town centre riverside walk.

Silverstone Circuit

To the north of the parish, Silverstone first hosted the Formula 1 Racing British Grand Prix in 1950 and has hosted several Grand Prix from 1987 to date. Silverstone Circuit is now the only venue in Britain capable of hosting the British Grand Prix. The capacity of the event is now limited to 100,000 people. The circuit is at the centre of what is known as ‘Motorsport Valley’, a cluster of UK motorsport sites (others at Brackley and Milton Keynes). In the wider region, motorsport employs over 6,000 people and there are over 600 motor sport related businesses contributing over £700 million. For more information please see http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/planning‐building/key‐development/development‐brief‐ silverstone‐circuit‐masterplan/

The Last Ten Years

Buckingham became a major employment centre and a district‐scale retail centre. The town now represents an important shopping and employment centre for surrounding rural villages. In 2004 the Adopted Local Plan sought to address Buckingham’s growing population and needs by allocating sites for housing and employment beyond the settlement limits whilst designating a central shopping area and improvements to safety and security in the town centre.

Some of the major planning permissions granted since 2000 are:‐

 2000 & 2005 ‐ Buckingham Colour Press and other developments on Osier Way since  2000 – 45 dwellings at Verney Park, London Road  2002 – Erection of a spice factory south of the A421  2006 – Swan Business Park  2006 – 200 units with public open space and parking at Moreton Road  2009 – 700 units, primary school, employment land, healthcare, green space, highway works and sustainable drainage scheme at London Road/A421  2009 – 93 dwellings and light employment at Tingewick Road  2010 – 61 houses and shops at Market Hill (approval subject to planning obligation

Photo ‐ Little Hill Farm Bridge over the former Canal looking East ‐ Buckingham Canal Society, February 2010. Source ‐ http://www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk/

There has recently been a revival in interest in re‐opening the Buckingham Arm of the Grand Union Canal through the Buckingham Canal Society and on the 11th February 2011, AVDC pledged its full support to the reconstruction and reopening of the 11 miles of this waterway.

In summary, the A3 map overleaf shows the growth of Buckingham in different periods since the 18th century.

Buckingham Growth

Key 18th Century Pre 1950s 1950s 1960s 1970s 0 105 210 420 Meters 1980s

This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the 1990s permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her ´ Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown copyright. 2000s Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Aylesbury Vale District Council 100019797 2010 1:11,000 2010s

4. Fact File

Social Demographics

Some of the following data is at parish level from the 2001 census. This has been updated where possible but the detailed results of the 2011 census are not expected until 2013.

Population

Buckingham is home to 12,512 people (2001 census)3. Updated population figures from June 2009 for each Super Output Areas are:‐

Super Output Area Population 7646 1727 7645 1497 7649 2194 7647 1640 7644 1573 7650 1699 7648 1882 (June 2009, ONS)

The parish of Buckingham has increased its housing stock from 4,386 homes in 2000 to 4,788 in 2005 and 4,919 in 2010 (Source ‐ AVDC Housing Monitoring, 2010)

51% of the parish population surveyed in the 2001 census were female. The highest proportion of age groups surveyed were aged 25‐44 (31%). 44% of all people surveyed over 16 were married.

3 2001 census was done for the parish so has been adjusted to provide population of settlement only. This population figure is that in the Review of Rural Settlement Hierarchy document, 2009 12

Age profile

4000

3000

2000

1000

Number of people 0 People aged People aged People aged People aged People aged People aged People aged 0-4 5-15 16-24 25-44 45-64 65-74 75 and over

Source: 2001 Census, www.ons.gov.uk, © Crown copyright

The above table shows that the most common age group in the parish is 25‐44, followed by 45‐ 64. The low percentage of people aged 16‐24 may reflect that people have either left to find work or to go into further education away from this area.

Population Change since 1951

The following chart shows that there was an increase in the rate of population growth in the 1970s and 1980s.

Buckingham Population Change from 1951 to 2001

14000 12000 10000 People

of 8000

6000

Number 4000 2000 0 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001

Year

Source – 2001 Census.

Social groups

A Classification of Residential Neighbourhoods (ACORN) developed by the Bucks Strategic Partnership shows the distinct groups of people that live within Buckinghamshire. The county is made up of 10 groups of households whose residents all have very different demographic characteristics and lifestyles. This means that from the results it would be possible to identify that more affluent groups are likely to have very different public service needs from those less affluent groups. The different ACORN group types are explained at http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/research/bucks_acorn.page

It should be noted that the results below are significantly influenced by Buckingham’s student population, currently just over 1,000 but set to rise to 3,000 by 2020. The chart below shows that the highest proportion (22%) living in Buckingham’s North Ward are ‘Secure Families’ – that is younger white collar couples with mortgages, middle income home owning areas, working families with mortgages and established home owning workers. Also noticeable is the 15% ‘Hard Pressed’ – people on the lowest incomes and unemployed.

The charts show that there is greater affluence in the southern half of the town than the north with 59% being ‘Flourishing Families’. These are affluent working families with mortgages, larger families in prosperous suburbs, well‐off working families with mortgages and well‐off managers with detached houses. The maps that follow show the geographical distribution of these groups within the wards.

ACORN social groups – results for Buckingham

ACORN Acorn Group Name Buckingham North Buckingham South Group (%) (%) 1 Wealthy Mature Professionals 5 0 2 Villages with Wealthy Commuters 0 0 3 Well off Managers <1 2 4 Affluent Greys 9 <1 5 Flourishing Families 16 59 6 Urban Professionals 13 7 7 Secure Families 22 21 8 Settled Suburbia or Prudent 5 4 Pensioners 9 Moderate Means 6 <1 10 Hard Pressed Source – Bucks Strategic Partnership, March 2010.

Buckingham North Ward – Location of ACORN Groups. Source – Bucks Strategic Partnership, March 2010.

Buckingham South Ward – Location of ACORN Groups. Source – Bucks Strategic Partnership, March 2010.

Deprivation

The Indices of Deprivation

The Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) provide an analysis of the levels of deprivation according to seven key indicators: income, employment, health, education, housing, crime and living environment (ONS, 2007). This is identified by Super Output Areas (SOA) for each parish. The area defined as the Super Output Areas (7644, 7645, 7646, 7647, 7648, 7649 and 7650) can be seen on the map on page 4 of this paper. A scoring result out of 20 is shown for each category of deprivation where 20 would be the most deprived possible out of all Super Output Areas of the country and 1 the least.

The deprivation results are shown on the table overleaf. Comparing the Buckingham central area to the north, south, east and west of the town the main differences are:‐

 Buckingham Northeast is less deprived than the centre overall except for Barriers to Housing and Services (i.e. access to affordable housing and services)  Buckingham East is less deprived than the centre overall except for Education Deprivation and Crime  Buckingham South is less deprived overall than the town centre except on the issues of Education Deprivation and Barriers to Housing and Services  Buckingham West is more deprived than the town centre and any other side of Buckingham. The main contributors to this are Employment Deprivation and Education Deprivation

It should be noted that the size of the Buckingham parish and number of Super Output Areas involved makes is more complex understanding deprivation issues in Buckingham. Super Output Area 7644 7645 7646 7647 7648 7649 7650 Overall Deprivation 3 3 5 1 1 3 1 Measures the following seven key indicators: 1) Income Deprivation 3 8 8 0 1 8 2 Measures wages 2) Employment 2 1 7 1 2 2 1 Deprivation Measures unemployment levels and access to jobs 3) Health Deprivation 2 5 5 1 1 2 1 Measures population’s health 4) Education 9 3 11 1 2 6 5 Deprivation Measures skill levels and access to education 5) Barrier to Housing 11 2 3 6 10 6 14 and Services

Measure access to affordable housing and services 6) Crime 8 8 7 4 3 7 2 Measures levels of burglary, theft, criminal damage and violence 7) Living Environment 1 12 1 0 0 4 1 Deprivation Measures both indoor and outdoor living conditions including condition of housing, air quality, road traffic accidents Source: Communities and Local Government; Office for National Statistics; Valuation Office Agency, (2007)

Employment

Employment Sites

Buckingham is a major source of employment in northern Aylesbury Vale. This is influenced by existing industrial estates and road transport connections between the M1 and M40. A full list of named and addressed sites is in Appendix 2 of the 2008 Employment Land Study.

 143 businesses in Buckingham on 10 sites  In addition there are 7 businesses over 6 sites at Gawcott  There are also 22 businesses over 3 sites at Maids Moreton, Stowe and Akeley

The principal planned employment land areas for the town were set out in the Buckingham and Maids Moreton District Plan 1980 (Altered 1984). This set out that the Wipac employment premises on London Road (dating from the 1930s) would be consolidated with further employment development to the west and south. These opportunities were presented by construction of the A421 bypass around 1980. In turn the Cementone Factory in Tingewick Road would be consolidated with further employment land up to the former railway line and south of the River Great Ouse. These two principal employment concentrations have been consolidated since.

The main employment areas now are:‐

 B1 (Office) ‐ The main larger sites are at Buckingham Industrial Park (A421), Tingewick Road Industrial Park and Maids Moreton House.

 B2 (General Industry) – The main larger sites are at Buckingham Industrial Park, Wipac (London Road), Apollo Business Park (between Radclive and Gawcott), Swan Business Park (off A421), High Acre Farm (Gawcott Road/A421), DT Industries (Tingewick Road/Bath Lane)

It should be noted that notwithstanding the above major employment concentrations and strategic employment function, Buckingham is nonetheless relatively self contained with people living and working in the locality – this is reflected in the commuting diagram for people living in the wards shown on page 18. Furthermore, it should be remembered the contribution that that the University and schools make to employment in the area – ‘employment’ is much wider than just industry and other businesses.

Employment Trends

The chart overleaf shows net employment completions which are identified as B1, B2, and B8 use classes. This includes offices, research and development, light industry, general industry, warehousing and distribution. Net floorspace takes into account demolitions and losses of B class uses. The chart shows what has been built 2005‐2010. In terms of current planning permissions, there is a net loss of ‐472sqm. Please note that as Buckingham includes several large industrial estates it is likely that B‐use employment would contribute more than 50 per cent of the total employment in the area. 19

Buckingham Employment net floorspace

2009‐10 ‐155

2008‐09 2,082

2007‐08 5,309

2006‐07 187

2005‐06 ‐186

‐1000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

Net Floorspace (m²)

Source – AVDC (2010)

Sectors of Employment

Like many of the other towns around the district, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, and real estate/renting are key industries in both Buckingham North and South wards. In addition, partly due to the university site in Buckingham, there are an above average number of people working in education. The chart overleaf shows the key employment types in each Super Output Area:‐

Sectors of Employment for Super Output Areas

25.0%

20.0%

7644 Buckingham North 002A 7645 Buckingham North 002B 15.0% 7646 Buckingham North 002C 7647 Buckingham North 002D 7648 Buckingham South 001A 10.0% 7649 Buckingham South 001B 7650 Buckingham South 001C

5.0%

0.0%

il g r ing a n ms lth et min tio n lture m ness d a ea u /R o ancial i A c H Othe actur e C n t/ Fi lic uf sal r Bus b Edu Agric u Construction P Man otels/Cateri ting, hole H anspo W en Tr R tate/ s

Real E

Data Source: 2006, AVDC Local Area Profile. Chart – AVDC, 2011

The pie chart below on Employment Type shows that the most common (36%) occupation in the Buckingham parish is managerial and professional occupations. Almost a quarter (22%) of people aged 16‐74 are in employment of type “not classified”.

Employment type

All people aged 16 to 74: Managerial and professional occupations All people aged 16 to 74: 22% Intermediate occupations

All people aged 16 to 74: NS- 36% SeC Small employers and ow n- account w orkers 1% All people aged 16 to 74: Low er supervisory and technical occupations All people aged 16 to 74: Semi- routine and routine occupations 17%

All people aged 16 to 74: Never w orked and long-term 10% unemployed 7% 7% All people aged 16 to 74: Not classified

2001 Census, www.ons.gov.uk, © Crown copyright

The table below shows economic activity – 7 in 10 people are classified as in employment/economically active. Just 2 per cent were recorded as unemployed at the time of the 2001 Census.

Economic activity

All people aged 16 to 74: 28% Economically active : Employed

All people aged 16 to 74: Economically active : 2% Unemployed All people aged 16 to 74 : 70% Economically inactive

2001 Census, www.ons.gov.uk, © Crown copyright

Mode of travel to Work

The below chart shows that almost three‐quarters of people travel to work in car, motorcycle or van. Only 4 per cent travel to work by public transport. The average distance travelled to a fixed place of work is 19.9 km.

Mode of travel to work

4% All people aged 16 to 74 in 24% employment: Travel to work by public transport All people aged 16 to 74 in employment: Travel to work by motorcycle; car or van All people aged 16 to 74 in employment: Travel to work by 72% other means or work at home

2001 Census, www.ons.gov.uk, © Crown copyright

The map below shows that the majority of people in Buckingham work in the rural areas of Aylesbury Vale (i.e. do not use the M1 or M40 corridors, the M25 or Aylesbury town).

Source ‐ AVDC Employment Land Study, 2008 Note the colour of the arrows correspond to the roads on the key

Allocated Sites

There are three sites in AVDLP allocation BU3 – Buckingham Industrial Park. The 2008 Employment Land Study states that Buckingham Industrial Park comprises 44,020sqm, 12.37 hectares, 96 buildings and holds 113 businesses. The Study concludes the site is ideal to meet modern employment needs and if necessary could expand further to take in any reduction at Tingewick Road. The latest position on the development of AVDLP employment allocated sites is:‐

AVDLP Site allocation Type Site Area of Comments Policy Floorspace BU3 South of Bypass Employment 2.2ha Non‐food retail warehouse (Focus DIY) completed 2006. Industrial units for B1/B2/B8 completed 2007. Further units for B1/B2/B8 completed 2008 BU3 Industrial Park Employment 0.9ha No progress Buckingham (south of Tesco) BU3 Adjacent to Employment 1.5ha B1/B2/B8 units complete Industrial Park, January 2004 Buckingham (off Top Angel) BU8 Market Hill Mixed Use 244sqm Application for 61 residential (between West A1/A2/B1(a) units and commercial Street and floorspace for floorspace was approved in Moreton Road), flexible November 2010 subject to Buckingham commercial completion of a planning use obligation agreement Source: AVDC Annual Monitoring Reports, 2009 and 2010

Broadband speeds

There is no formal way of assessing Broadband speed and coverage. However we have drawn on some of the commercially available speed checking services to give a guide as to the coverage and speeds available in the parish/town. This does not mean that this is necessarily an obtainable level of service, but is as close as we are able to provide as an indicator. Using www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk it would appear that the town has good coverage and download speeds obtainable appear to be in the range of 5 to 13 Mbps.

Shops and Services

Buckingham has a good level of provision and attracts a wide catchment in northern Aylesbury Vale. The centre provides a large number of independent shops and locally owned shops. Comparison shopping is relatively limited compared with Milton Keynes and Aylesbury. The 2005 Aylesbury Vale Retail Study notes the town offers “..a reasonable range of pubs and eating places in the town but other forms of commercial leisure are absent. Being a small town, office/commercial provision in its centre is limited and residential accommodation is much in evidence.” In essence there is no modern office space in the town centre – it is all older converted buildings.

A full audit of the retail and service offer in the town was carried out in August 2010. The majority of shops and services are located in High Street, Market Hill, West Street and the Cornwalls Meadow shopping centre. The results of the audit of this are summarised in the annexe to this paper. In the town centre there are around 100 shops, 60 units offering services and 30 offering community facilities.

Health Care

The August 2010 audit of provision found that Buckingham residents have access to the following provision ‐

 3 dentists in the town centre  3 doctor’s surgeries (Verney Close Surgery, Masonic House Surgery, North End Surgery)  Buckingham Community Hospital in the High Street provides care for patients following treatment or surgery at a hospital.  Hospitals for treatment or surgery in Buckinghamshire are at Stoke Mandeville and High Wycombe

The 2001 Census reveals that 77% of people are in good health whilst 11% of people have a limiting long‐term illness. This means a higher proportion are in good health in Buckingham than in nearby Great Horwood and there are also slightly less people with a limiting long‐term illness in Buckingham than Great Horwood.

Verney Close GP surgery, Buckingham

There is no capacity issue as such but there are discussions to be had as to where services are to be provided in the town. Neither Verney Close nor a surgery at Masonic House have room to expand. The discussions to be had will include taking account of the health development part of the planning permission for the Hallam Land London Road/A421 site.

Leisure Facilities

Public open space

A list of all publically accessible open spaces in the town as at 31st May 2011:‐ Note ‐ Map to be produced. Location Open space type Size (sqm) Cornwalls Meadow Open Space 4033 Bridge Street Open Space 3909 Bourton Road Allotments 20932 Chris Nicholls Walk 1937 Chandos Park 15550 Tanlaw Mill Open Space 6590 St Peter and St Paul Church Graveyard and 4646 Registered Village Green St Peter and St Paul Church 5106 Cattle Market Civic Space 1296 Heartlands 99866 Bourton Road Amenity Space 1016 Wittmills Oak Stratford Fields 21091 Burleigh Place Open Space 4360 Bourton Park 69089 Burleigh Place Amenity Space 5378 Downer/Small Crescent Open Space 1929 Mare Leys Open Space 460 Hazley Walk Open Space 589 Greenway Walk Open Space 1474 Tingewick Road Allotment 6727 Castle House Open Space 5907 Redshaw Close Open Space 966 Burleigh Place Open Space 1523 Page Hill Avenue Open Space 1930 Foscott Way Amenity Space 666 Catherine Court Open Space 1297 King Charles Close Open Space 1583 Hilltop Avenue Open Space 552 Watchcroft Drive Amenity Space 1655 Pitchcroft Avenue Open Space 13908 Avenue Road* Playing Field 28709 Cropedy Court Open Space 927 Holloway Spinney 16690

Hilltop Avenue Open Space 5148 Hilltop Avenue Open Space 1697 Wharf View Open Space 4219 Gifford Place Open Space 4468 Gifford Place Open Space 1078 Page Hill Avenue Open Space 5126 Maids Moreton Avenue Woodland 17564 Moreton Road Open Space 2439 Bradfield Avenue Open Space 1176 Holton Road Open Space 1147 Pightle Crescent Open Space 1029 Overn Avenue Open Space 2719 Overn Close Open Space 503 Overn Close Open Space 503 Overn Avenue Open Space 1320 Overn Avenue Open Space 1961 Western Avenue Open Space 535 Adams Close Open Space 3781 Otters Brook Open Space 13021 Otters Brook Open Space 1079 Bourton Road Open Space 3007 Bourton Road Open Space 4689 Willow Drive Open Space 2671 Lime Avenue Open Space 1869 Plover Close Open Space 1590 Hare Close Open Space 1011 Swallow Close Open Space 2156 Deerfield Close Open Space 821 Great Slade Open Space 10381 Middle Slade Amenity Space 3947 Yonder Slade Amenity Space 2768 Western Avenue Amenity Space 2904 Stowe Avenue Open Space 838 Buckingham Cemetery 25450 Fishers Field Open Space 4568 Westfields Open Space 1011 Railway Walk (includes Scenic Walk) Open Space 20619 Berties Walk Open Space 9438 Chandos Road Open Space 41004 Aris Way Open Space 2347 Mount Pleasant Close Open Space 16431 Embleton Way Open Space 3499

Leisure Centre Open Space 47644 Bull Ring, Market Hill Open Space (Civic Less than Space) 1000sqm Source – AVDC, May 2011 * this space is in Maids Moreton Parish but is included because it is connected to Buckingham’s green infrastructure network of green spaces at Holloway Spinney and Watlow Gardens

Maps of public open space referred to above are on the AVDC website http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/leisure‐culture/parks‐open‐spaces/green‐spaces‐maps/ ‐ except as follows (managed open spaces in green)

Source – AVDC, 2011

The following is an audit of green space provision against the provision standards used by the Council (including the Government’s ANGSt standards – see http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/places/greenspace/greenspacestandards. aspx ). The table has been added to by the Buckingham Town Council.

Green space type Existing Provision Accessibility Gaps 2ha‐20ha green Yes. There are 10 sites situated Yes. Small parcels of land space within 300m within Buckingham that virtually at Buckingham North Road. of dwellings in covers the entire town ( Open Buckingham Space at: Leisure Centre, Chandos Road, Heartlands, Chandos Park, Railway Walk, Buckingham Cemetery, Playing Field Avenue Road, Bourton Park, Stratford Fields, Allotments Bourton Road) 20ha‐100ha green No. Yes. A new site is needed in space within 2km of the Buckingham Ward. dwellings in Buckingham 100‐500ha green Yes. Stowe Landscape Gardens No. space within 5km of Buckingham 500ha+ within 10km Yes. Hazelborough Wood. No. of Buckingham Local Nature Yes. Buckingham Sand Pit. (nearby Yes. Access to Buckingham Reserves Coombes Quarry) Sand Pit is restricted. Young People’s Play Yes. Seven Locally Equipped Area Yes. 2 LEAPS required at Provision** of Play (LEAP) within Buckingham Page Hill, Mount Pleasant and one situated in Maids Moreton and Badgers estates, 1 Recreation Ground. Three LEAP at each of Linden Neighbourhood Equipped Areas of Village and Bourtonville. 1 Play (NEAP) within Buckingham. NEAP is needed at Page Hill. Allotments Yes. 1 site is located on Bourton Gaps unknown. Road and is managed by Bourton Road Allotment Association in conjunction with Buckingham town Council. One other site is located on the Tingewick Road. Youth play facility Yes. Skate Park, Bridge Street Gaps unknown. Source – AVDC, May 2011

** There are children’s playgrounds at Chandos Park, Bourton Road (2), Stratford Fields, Otters Brook and Overn Crescent Meadway A map has been produced showing the above areas of open space in Buckingham (see next page). The Council also has an online (zoomable) geographic information system of all AVDC maintained open spaces including their names – please see http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/leisure‐culture/parks‐open‐spaces/green‐spaces‐maps.

Library

The Buckingham Library in Verney Close is open five days a week with the following facilities:‐ http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/libraries/Branches/buckingham.page

Sports and Leisure Facilities

The following sports and leisure facilities are in the town council area:‐ Name and Address Type Sports and Infrastructure details Leisure Facility Bourton School, Burleigh Outdoor Football Pitch 3 Grass pitches Piece, Linden Village, Sport Buckingham MK18 7HX

Bourton School, Burleigh Outdoor Multi Use Hard court marked out as 2 x Piece, Linden Village, Sport Games Area netball courts and 1 pitch Buckingham MK18 7HX (MUGA)

Bourton School, Burleigh Indoor Sports Hall Piece, Linden Village, Sport Buckingham MK18 7HX

Bourton Road, Buckingham. Indoor Health and Gym with 33 stations. Built 2000 MK18 7DL Sport Fitness refurbished 2005. Changing facilities. Car parking for 50 cars.

Bourton Road, Buckingham. Indoor Swimming Registered membership use. MK18 7DL Sport Pool Changing facilities

Bourton Park, Bourton Road, Outdoor Other Basketball and Korfball court. Buckingham Sport Facility Is publicly accessible.

Cornwallis Meadow, Community Community Large Hall Room: (70 seated) Buckingham MK18 1RP Centre/Village Free public car park. Industrial Hall Kitchen and bar.

Buckingham Golf Club, Outdoor Golf Course 18 hole course. Tingewick Road, Sport Clubhouse and Professional Buckingham MK18 4AE shop. Car park for 150 cars. Facility Is publicly accessible.

Buckingham School, London Outdoor Athletics 2 x Grass Tracks. Hammer, Road Sport Track discus and shot circles.

Buckingham School, London Outdoor Football Pitch Full size grass pitch Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Outdoor Other 2 Netball Courts (Asphalt?) Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Outdoor Other 3 Rounders pitches Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Outdoor Rugby Pitch Grass pitch Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Indoor Sports Hall 4 Badminton courts Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Indoor Sports Hall Dance Studio Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Indoor Sports Hall Hall used for Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport Gymnasium/dance/Trampoline. 1AT

Buckingham School, London Indoor Sports Hall Dance Studio Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Indoor Sports Hall School Hall Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Indoor Sports Hall Hall used for Judo and Fitness Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport 1AT

Buckingham School, London Outdoor Tennis 4 Hard Courts Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport Outdoor 1AT

Stratford Road, Buckingham Outdoor Football Pitch Full size grass pitch. . Parking MK18 1NY Sport Changing facilities. Floodlights.

London Road, Buckingham Indoor Sports Hall 2 squash courts MK18 1AE Sport

London Road, Buckingham Outdoor STP (sand Marked out for Football and MK18 1AE Sport dressed) Hockey.

London Road, Buckingham Indoor Health and Gym with 50 stations. Built 1996. MK18 1AE Sport Fitness Refurbished 2006. Open 7 days a week. Centre car park for 70 cars. Facility Is publicly accessible. London Road, Buckingham. Outdoor STP (sand All weather football pitch with MK18 1AE Sport dressed) floodlights. Facility Is publicly accessible. Changing facilities. Built 1996. Refurbished 2000. London Road, Buckingham. Indoor Swimming Built 1996. Refurbished 2000. 6 MK18 1AE Sport Pool lanes. Leisure pool (Flume, Spa) No diving boards. Centre car park for 70 cars. Spectator areas. Hunter Street, Buckingham Outdoor Tennis Hard Court Sport Outdoor Bourton Road, Buckingham. Outdoor Cricket Pitch Square with artificial wicket. MK18 1BG Sport Nets. Clubhouse refurbished 2005. Car park for 30 cars. Changing rooms. Chandos Park, off Chandos Outdoor Bowls Full size bowls green with 6 Road, Buckingham MK18 Sport Outdoor rinks. Pavilion built 2001. Facility 1AJ Is publicly accessible.

Chandos Park, off Chandos Outdoor Tennis 3 all weather courts with Road, Buckingham. MK18 Sport Outdoor floodlights. Clubhouse. Use of 1AJ Bowls Club bar next door.

Ford Street, Buckingham. Outdoor Football Pitch Full size grass pitch with MK18 1AG Sport floodlights. Changing Rooms. Car Parking for 100 cars Chandos Road, Buckingham Outdoor Other Netball Court MK18 1AP Sport

Chandos Road, Buckingham Indoor Sports Hall MK18 1AP Sport

Best Western Buckingham Indoor Health and Gym with 15 stations. Changing Hotel, A421 Ring Road Sport Fitness facilities. Parking for 150 cars. South, Buckingham MK18 Built 1980. Refurbished 2004. 1RY Registered membership use (free to hotel guests) Best Western Buckingham Indoor Swimming Facility Is publicly accessible. Hotel, A421 Ring Road Sport Pool South, Buckingham MK18 1RY

Yonder Slade, Buckingham Indoor Bowls 4 rink facility with Changing and Industrial Estate, Sport WCs. Spectator areas. Parking Buckingham. MK18 1RZ for 60 cars. Facility Is publicly accessible.

Chandos Road, Buckingham. Indoor Sports Hall 4 Badminton courts MK18 1AX Sport

Gawcott Road, Buckingham Outdoor Football Pitch 14 Grass Courts. Changing rooms MK18 1TN Sport and floodlights

Extract of AVDC Sports Database, May 2011 and additions by Buckingham Town Council Officers, 2011.

Tourism

The following are any facilities that AVDC officers consider to be relevant, however the town council may wish to add to this list or amend as appropriate. Buckingham has the following renowned tourist attractions with 2009/10 visitor numbers (in brackets) where available:‐

 Buckingham Old Gaol (2,963 in 2010)  Chantry Chapel, Shrine of St Rumbold (1000)  The Ginny Gray Gallery  Stowe Landscape Gardens  Stowe House (school holiday time) (8,207)  Access to the nearby Claydon House, Silverstone Circuit and Towcester Racecourse (Source – AVDC, January 2011 and Buckingham Town Council, June 2011)

Accommodation

The following hotels were recorded in and around the Buckingham area in January 2011:‐

The Buckingham Hotel (Best Western, A421) – 70 beds – 3 star rating Villiers Hotel – 3 Castle Hill – Buckingham – 80 beds – 4 star rating Travelodge – A421 Buckingham – 40 rooms – 2 star rating

The White Hart, 1‐2 Market Square, 18 rooms (Source – AVDC, January 2011 and Buckingham Town Council, June 2011)

Crime

The following data is based burglaries, theft, criminal damage and violence (April 2002‐March 03). The column on the left shows a ranking of the relevant Super Output Area against all Super Output Areas nationally (there are around 32,500). An IMD score of 1 would mean the SOA is the highest crime area in the country. Whereas a ranking of 32,500 would be the lowest crime area based on these particular crimes. The chart shows that overall there is very little crime in Buckingham Northeast, East and South. Central and southwestern areas are more deprived.

Crime Deprivation

35000 30000 25000 Deprivation

20000 15000 Multiple 10000 of

5000

Indices 0 7644 7645 7646 7647 7649 7648 7650

Buckingham Ward Super Output Area

Source: AVDC, 2010 based on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2007

There is a Buckingham Police office in the Old Gaol at Market Hill and also a Police Station on Moreton Road. Thames Valley Police have recorded the following observations for crimes committed over a sample two‐month period between March and May 2010:‐

 264 recorded crimes in Buckingham and Maids Moreton, this was 64 more crimes than the corresponding period last year  two robberies in the area.  19 vehicle related crimes over this period this is 14 less than last year, this clearly shows that recent operations in the rural area’s to prevent such offences have had a positive impact  42 burglaries these include burglary dwelling and burglary non – dwellings this is 22 more than last year.  94 reports of anti‐social behaviour across Buckingham & Maids Moreton, this is down by 46.

Source Thames Valley Police (2010) at http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh‐tvp‐ pol‐area/yournh‐tvp‐pol‐area‐bucks/yournh‐tvp‐pol‐area‐bucks‐ayls/pub‐pg‐nh‐upds‐ N121?id=138779

Education

Pre‐School

The following pre‐school facilities are available in Buckingham:‐

Field House Day Nursery, Tingewick Road, Buckingham Buckingham Pre‐School Playgroup, Buckingham Cricket Club, Bourton Road Grenville Extended Care, Grenville Combined School, Chandos Road Bourton Meadow – Out of School Clubs, Burleigh Place, Linden Village Buckingham Primary School, Foscot Way

More facilities can be found in Maids Moreton and Gawcott (Source – BCC, January 2011)

Primary Schools

‘Primary planning areas’ are areas used by Buckinghamshire County Council in the planning for education facilities. The Buckingham Primary Planning Area (shown on the map overleaf) includes the rural environs and villages including Gawcott, Tingewick, Leckhampstead, Maids Moreton, Preston Bissett and Hillesden. Collectively the 6 schools in the primary planning have a spare capacity in 2009/10 of 254 places. This is anticipated to remain the same for 2012/13.

Bourton Meadow School – 525 places capacity ‐ 2009/10 ‐ 487 places used Buckingham Primary School – 540 places capacity – 2009/10 – 444 places used Grenville Combined – 210 places capacity – 2009/10 – 180 places used Maids Moreton CE – 90 places capacity – 2009/10 – 2009/10 – 49 places used Roundwood Primary – 178 places capacity – 2009/10 – 135 places used St James and St John CE Primary – 140 places capacity – 2009/10 – 134 places used

Excerpt of Schools in Primary Planning Area (BCC, March 2010) © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. BCC Licence 100021529 from Ordnance Survey

Secondary Schools

The following secondary schools are in Buckingham:‐

The Buckingham School, London Road, Buckingham. This is a mixed school with 948 pupils (2005) for 11 to 18 year olds. Capacity 1166 – 932 pupils in 2009/10 (20% space capacity)

The Royal Latin School, Chandos Road, Buckingham. A mixed school with 1257 pupils for ages 11‐18 year olds . Capacity 1226 – 1262 pupils in 2009/10 – (3% over capacity)

Further afield, children in Buckingham may attend the Magdalen College School in Brackley, Northamptonshire. This school has currently around 1,502 students attending. Further information is available at http://www.magdalen.northants.sch.uk/cms/ . Also of relevance is the Kingsbrook Business and Enterprise (comprehensive secondary) School in Deanshanger, Northants. The facility has around 975 pupils. Further information can be found at http://www.kingsbrook.org.uk/

Further Education

 The University of Buckingham – various sites in or near the town centre

Educational Achievement

Key Stage 2 is ages 7‐11 (Junior School) within the Primary Curriculum. Level 4 is one of the higher standards of achievement for teaching effectiveness. More information on the stages and the curriculum is available at http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary

Stage Subject Buckingham Buckingham Regional North South

Key Stage 2 English 85 89 81

Science 88 96 88

Maths 83 78 78

GCSE 5 or more GCSEs 90 72 65

(Source ‐ Hometrack, 2010)

Housing stock profile

There are 5,028 homes in the town’s housing stock (March 2011). This includes conversions and completions (source AVDC monitoring, June 2011)

This chart shows that the most common dwelling type in the Buckingham parish is a semi‐ detached/terrace house or bungalow. Flats, maisonettes or temporary/moveable homes only form 9 per cent of the total.

Dwelling type

Detached house / bungalows 39% Semi-detached / terraced houses / bungalow Flat maisonette or apartment; or 52% caravan or temporary structure

(Source – 2001 Census)

The average number of rooms per household in the parish is 5.85 (2001 census). The district‐ wide figure is 5.8 rooms per household for comparison. The average household size is 2.52 persons ‐ average number in the district is 2.51.

Household Tenure

The chart overleaf shows that over 75% of households in the parish have properties owner occupied – the rest rent either publicly or privately in equal proportion.

Tenure

Households with owner- occupied tenure 11%

11% Households with tenure rented from Council (local authority) or Housing Association / Registered Social Landlord Households with tenure rented 78% from private landlord or letting agency or other tenure

(Source – 2001 Census)

Household Occupancy

The following chart shows that there is an almost negligible minority of unoccupied or vacant household space in the parish and there is no second residence or holiday accommodation.

Household Occupancy

2% 2%

Occupied household space

Second residence/holiday accommodation Unoccupied household space Vacant household space

96%

(Source: Census, 2001)

Market data on completions and sales

189 units were completed over the period 2005‐2010. The net housing commitments in the parish show the number of houses (both dwellings and conversions) for which there is a valid planning permission, allowing for those houses which have already been completed and allowing for dwellings which are to be demolished or otherwise lost.

Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Commitments 82 62 55 352 437 1103 Completions 58 21 30 25 26 29 Affordable Housing 0 0 0 0 4 units 7 Rural Exception 0 0 0 0 0 0 Schemes

House Price

The table below shows that house prices in both the North and South wards rose up to summer 2008 – houses in the south were notably more expensive than those in the north ward at this point. When the credit crunch hit and there was a drop of around £50,000 in both wards over the following six months. Since then prices remained stable.

Average House Price

350,000 300,000 250,000 200,000 South 150,000 North £price 100,000 50,000 0

5 5 6 8 9 0 1 0 05 0 -07 -07 -0 -08 08 -0 09 09 1 10 10 1 r- r- r g-07 r r r- r- p p p u ec p p p p A Aug-0 Dec- A Aug-06Dec-06A A D A Aug Dec- A Aug- Dec- A Aug- Dec- A Year/Month

(Data Source: Hometrack, May 2011. Chart produced by AVDC, June 2011)

Housing Sales

In 2010 there were 97 property sales in Buckingham South Ward. In 2010 there were 118 property sales in Buckingham North Ward. (Source: Hometrack, May 2011). The chart overleaf shows that from 2008 onwards, sales in both wards fell significantly but then followed a limited pick up in sales the following year. This recovery continued in 2010 with 215 home sales.

Annual Dwelling Sales

180 162 168 160 148 137 140 140 140 118 120 97 100 86 88 North 80 70 65 South 60 40 20 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

(Data Source: Hometrack, May 2011. Chart produced by AVDC, June 2011)

Stock turnover shows the percentage of housing stock as sales in a given year. The table below shows there has only been a greater turnover of Buckingham South housing stock than Buckingham North although the gap is reducing.

Stock Turnover

9 8 7

6 Annual percentage of stock Turnover 5 (%) Buckingham north 4 Annual percentage of stock Turnover 3 (%) Buckingham south 2 1 Annual % of Stock Turnover Stock % of Annual 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

(The table has been reformatted – data is the same. Data Source: Hometrack, May 2011 )

New Build price comparison

The tables overleaf show that for the north ward there hasn’t been any significant difference between previously owned and new build prices for flats. In the south ward however the previously owned flats are much lower than new build equivalents. In the north ward, houses are typically around £70,000 more expensive than flats, whether previously owned or new built.

Buckingham North Ward New Build Price Comparison to Previously Owned Dwellings

450,000

400,000

350,000

300,000 Previously Owned Prices (Flat) 250,000 New Build Prices (Flat) Previously Owned Prices (House) £price 200,000 New Build Prices (House) 150,000

100,000

50,000

0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

(Data Source: Hometrack, May 2011. Please note not all the data is available for each year. Chart produced by AVDC, June 2011)

Buckingham South Ward New Build Price Comparison to Previously Owned Dwellings

500,000

450,000

400,000

350,000

300,000 Previously Owned Prices (Flat) New Build Prices (Flat) 250,000 Previously Owned Prices (House) £price 200,000 New Build Prices (House)

150,000

100,000

50,000

0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

(Data Source: Hometrack, May 2011. Please note not all the data is available for each year. Chart produced by AVDC, June 2011)

Affordability

The graphs overleaf consider income in relation to buying a property in Buckingham. The graph for Buckingham North Ward overleaf shows in order to buy a terraced house for a first time buyer based on a mortgage rate three times an applicant’s income, the applicant needs to be earning at least £45,000. To buy a flat/maisonette for an owner occupier on a mortgage based on three times your income, the applicant needs to be earning at least £25,000.

Affordability ‐ Buckingham North Ward

(Data Source: Hometrack, May 2011. Chart produced by AVDC, June 2011)

The graph for the Buckingham South Ward below shows in order to buy a terraced house for a first time buyer based on a mortgage rate three times the applicant’s income, the applicant needs to be earning at least £40‐45,000. To buy a flat/maisonette for an owner occupier on a mortgage based on three times an applicant’s income, the applicant also need to be earning at least £20‐25,000.

Affordability ‐ Buckingham South Ward

(Data Source: Hometrack, May 2011. Chart produced by AVDC, June 2011)

Housing Need

In the Buckingham town council area, there are 163 households on the waiting list for Council housing (Source, AVDC October 2010). The total number of households on the council housing waiting list is 4,410. Please note that within this figure there are 1,022 people on the waiting list from outside the district and 120 households where the Council has so far been unable to map their location due to unrecognisable postcodes (please see annexe 2 for map of district housing waiting list).

Gypsies and Travellers Sites

There are no sites in the Buckingham town council area – the nearest sites are in Gawcott where there are 5 sites at Burrows Field, Radclive Road with 20 pitches in total.

Transport

Buckingham is well connected by roads from the M1 and M40 motorways. The A421, A413 and A422 roads connect Buckingham to Oxford, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Bicester Towcester and Brackley.

Private Transport

The following chart shows that most people in the Buckingham town council area have one car or van, the next common being two cars or cans.

Number of cars/vans per household

8% 14%

No cars or vans One car or van 38% Tw o cars or vans Three or more cars or vans 40%

Source: 2001 Census, www.ons.gov.uk, © Crown copyright

Coach ‐ The X5 coach service stops at Tesco, south of Buckingham and connects the town to Milton Keynes in around 20 minutes and also connects to Oxford, Cambridge and Bedford. The X5 stops at the Buckingham Tesco on the A421/London Road.

Rail – No station in Buckingham. The nearest stations are at Milton Keynes and Bicester which both offer north‐south routes to London and Birmingham. Aylesbury Railway station is around 16 miles away offering services to Amersham, Northwest and central London.

Bus The map overleaf and routes on page 34 show there are good bus service connections north, east and west of the town. Services to the south are more limited, however part of the planning permission for the London Road/A421 Hallam Land scheme was for upgrades to the 60 service (Winslow and Aylesbury) extending this service period in the evening.

Source: http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses‐and‐trains/Maps/Real‐time‐bus‐map.aspx (searched 11/04/2011). NB The Yellow flags indicate locations of bus stops. Bus service routes are shown on the maps overleaf. More stops are shown when user zooms into the map on the Transport For Buckinghamshire website.

Community Transport

The following forms of community transport are available:‐

 Aylesbury Vale Dial‐A‐Ride (Community Bus)  Buckingham & Winslow Community Care North Bucks (car‐based, hospital medical services)  Winslow and District Community Bus (hire for community groups)

Bus Service Routes and Frequency

The following maps show routes operating at least hourly 6 or more days a week, those less frequently 5 or more days a week or those less than 5 days a week. The services shown are operated by Arriva, Carousel, Redline and other providers.

Source: Buckinghamshire County Council, 2010

Maps showing bus services in and from Buckingham. Source: BCC, November 2010. Bus services shown can be searched at on the Buckinghamshire County Council website at http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses‐and‐trains/Bus‐timetables.aspx’

Water Cycle and Flood Risk

Wastewater Treatment Works – There are currently major constraints upon existing infrastructure. However the Wastewater Treatment Works is planned for capacity upgrades with contributions from the Hallam Land planning permission for 700 homes south of the A421 and east of London Road. See Hallam Land planning permission and Anglian Water Services Asset Management Plan.

Wastewater Networks – Development to the north and south of the town could take place without upgrading the existing network. Any site to the east and west of the town would lead to the need for upgrades.

Water supplies – Buckingham is supplied from the Foscote Reservoir which is subject to planned upgrades. There may be an issue regarding the timing of upgrades and development that can occur.

Water Quality – Currently technology is hampering the ability for water companies to meet the Water Framework Directive “Good” standard. Water companies will look to address this matter in the future once the relevant technology becomes available. This issue has no impact on the future development of various sites around the village

Flood Risk – There is currently fluvial flooding in parts of the town in Flood Zones 2 and 3 (The River Great Ouse). This presents high constraints to further development of these areas.

Surface Water Management – No constraints to Water Cycle infrastructure although Sustainable Drainage Systems for any development in Flood Zone 3 should be designed to operate under 100 year river flood conditions.

A map has been produced (see overleaf) showing the town centre area and fluvial and surface water flooding.

Fact File Summary

 The parish population more than doubled in the period 1971‐2001 reflecting major house building in the town  There are more ‘Flourishing Families’ in the south of the town whilst more ‘Hard Pressed’ in the north  The most deprived areas are on the north side of Buckingham, the least deprived areas are the east and northeast  Buckingham is a major employment location in Aylesbury Vale. There are 143 business, warehouse or industrial units over ten sites in Buckingham. In addition there are retail, services and many other facilities  The most common type of occupation is managerial and professional occupations, with most people employed in the ‘Rural Areas’ of Aylesbury Vale (including Buckingham itself)  Buckingham has a good range of shops and services in the town centre – over 100 retail units and over 60 service units  There are health facilities although for hospital treatment, residents have to travel to Stoke Mandeville or High Wycombe  There is a good range of sports, outdoor leisure and tourism facilities  There is very little evidence of crime in Buckingham northeast, east and south  Buckingham South pupils do better than Buckingham North in English and Science at Key Stage 2 but at GCSE, Buckingham North ward pupils perform significantly better  Most homes are semi‐detached or terraced and owner‐occupied tenure  House prices in the Buckingham South ward are higher on average than the those in the Buckingham North ward. Prices have remained relatively stable since 2005, peaking in 2008.  There are 163 households in the town council area on the waiting list for affordable housing  There are no gypsy and traveler sites in the parish ‐ there are several at nearby Gawcott  Buckingham has good bus links and a coach service to Oxford and Milton Keynes from the A421 (the X5 uses the A422)  The River Great Ouse presents significant flooding issues and the sewerage treatment works are due for upgrading

Ponds Buckingham Primary School Sta

109.8m

Bungalows Holloway Spinney Grid 99.7m s w lo Woodlands ta a S g e b n re u u T l S B E e h m T .7 Sub Sta 9 9 107.5m 104.5m 102.3m LB LB TCB

m 1 .8 m 0 0 .5 0 0 8 Recreation 1 . 9 4 97 m .5m PAGE HILL

2a 1 W m . 92.9m .5 2 a 6 9 2 rd 9 2. m 5 B m R d H y Gardens Hall 90.3m Police 8 5 2 88.2m .4 Sta 78.4m 3 97.6m m El Sub LB Lockmeadow Farm 91.4m D 94.5m 98.9m e D W West End Farm G f a i w l n m u y K n o 78.8m b f r e y a e 90.4m Hospital 78.8m a Deerdale Pavilion 99.7m N Northend 91.0m 98.2m ew 84.6m lyn 90.7m Playing Field 89.9m 91.2m E W AC L h TCB 1. P a 22 West End Farm T r m 85.0m P o f R a H y om 77.6m H 90.4m 88.5m n i El e b Works l 's s e Wharf l Sta C Y dg o d Lo e u rd E rd id rt tfo lm Ya 96.4m r tra d 's Cockfield b S a er n l ild Ly Th e Bu STRATFORD e E CR 79.6m L D FIELDS E House im & 86.6m e R l Willow Thorn e s W iv S Lock 88.7m Chapel Cemetery H s u a e u s r r P t O d G b e B op a d re S s lt El e a il r y t t u H G O a )

o u 87.5m Sta se d Chapel H R e on ll C s e ed a u c r 80.7m s i B H i Lodge l C d o o ( lue Grasmere PH rn P B st T Court w ur h B a 87.1m h Verdun e a M lls Ingress Vale ay n e m G tt 8 Hall O F k a r o l o d A n e 9 r C d F g o 9 or . W e Community o L w e d 9 West L 5 t e h E W m l l m Pightle a m R Little s p e E k a g p 2 o g t . h n A e i C w i C n P 2 s g n Wooburn l E 88.5m r i d H 8 Pumping Station Car H B n Gate o o FB i P K Y C b n o A T Pp Ho k Orchard h u R c 87.7m Stowfields Avenue a H Castle House m s D Buckingha u o e m B Hamilton u 85.5m M 82.8m l Barracks s a e e B T a h Car Park n Green w n e a 82.6m s ry k nt W C CR ED & ha PO h Weir LB C it Linden n Ward Bdy e Tel o H 81.0m i o Liby n U e k a BO m t STO n 7 Weirs r CK C a . d a OU B 5 o R T 8 Tel Ex n g B a r m C M r - e T i a V B G v Garage i W r i n Bungalow ll k r iers h h e e a M w R it m e e re B e w r t Hall s y n C s e 8 o u C s 1 rt Old School u .3 Garden m m e C as R tle Weir SM Industrial Estate FB

ED m S & T W 1 to a h n rd B . e dy e 8 lei 8 g 77.9m O h u T M se in a H ge a o w t u ick o 7 s 84.2m R e m ESS o S o ) ad 1 In r . a b m t du i 84.2m S st n 1 r ria u b 8 u l E g S Wks A S st S FB m a s u l te 4 79.6m El Sub Sta E l . b S m E 2 8 ta a h

g FB London n M i o k at c H u Mon o 1 u B s 4 ( e Works to t Church C 2 Garage E 78.7m 2 l 84.5m n S 86.2m rf Allotment ub 83.2m FB o h a Stone Croft FB S El Sub Sta ls c PH 6 h ta e r e u g to W Su r N W d TCB b h e ri 1 D Tank LB te M C ll BUCKINGHAM L r in B ET a a i s v l ' k i l 80.9m w l l n H 80.8m u c E e o a a g L u a lp id o s P o T m r d e t he l B g o N A 80.5m e S ew Allotment Gardens W In m Garage n Bridge .3 Chapel 81.5m Sports Ground 0 t 93.4m 8 R Cobbler's a 81.1m C V d cl 88.9m il if l fe O a m d El Sub Sta 9 d C . V f ic el Club m o 85.1m 0 to lo 9 N 8 r w . t i e o a t r s 0 a to R LB c n o 8 88 N I g Works 's w .4 v a P m u y e r la 85.4m t r ce Pavilion l D e is e y m T Ya W Garage EL a rd aln Bourton nt e House ut 92.3m le n T Ya FB Sta d a w rd 78.1m R is m a L te Weir d 3 ilw C . 95.6m h Meadow Football Ground 0 Issues a 84.5m t Norton Cott hi y m 8 Pp Ho a Prebend House 84.2m ne B y 77.8m 83.0m Grave Yard Stand St Peter and 82.9m Cotts Hal Sa lsha Prebend lisb m Istra Manor Cottage Grenville Station ury 87.5m St Rumbold's Well School LB Play Area TCB El Sub Sta Sp Willow Tennis W a at El Sub Sta m er Town 7 sid . e 1 LB t 8 Areas The Sunley TCB C s R Hutber Weir o Denbigh House 82.6m iv Beloff d e Bowling Green n r G TCB FB a r h e C An 9 Bourton Spring Cottage at d 3 O e .6 FB u la m D s 79.9m FB Pe in Stable Cottage is e 82.0m a C m r R an Court Tr tl ee ed University of Chandos Park 94.7m Home Farm T R he a Verney Park Weir P ilw H 83.4m N a Bridge S Silos ew e y Sluice M g FB a S tt Area M o LB C FB C 81.8m h es C tn Weir a G FB u 8 th 85.3m rea t 1. CR o 77.6m t 3m lic ED & FB C Bourton Ward E rt h Bdy l S u u o rc Youth ub h PH C T Franciscan Building Weir Cottages 91.9m S e a o ta r n f Buckingham School it 86.1m k M s The University of Buckingham Farm Rotherfield Bourton Mill Laurie Home B El Leisure Caine House use ish of dge Ho Works op Bri s 87.3m les Co 89.3m LB e Gab ur El Sub Sta Th t T h Key 96.3m e LB 84.7m 87.4m 89.2m Swan Pool El Sub Paulley House High Acre Park Tennis Courts 85.6m (Telecommunication) Works Terrace Flood Plain Iver Royal Latin School Playing Field

Mast

9 n 1 i Areas Suseptible to Surface Water Flooding . a 4 The r ft m LB Brookfield Cro D ow Badgers ead M e P -Sid o nd a Arv R id Gawcott Hill g Sub Sta e Buckingham town area - Flooding Cosy Nook MOUNT PLEASANT ta 101.0m S 0 150 300 600 Metres ub The Field 8 l S 5 E . 3 n m

r ita Orchard Don o View

L St Rumbolds

h This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the t LB

o permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her L s Majesty's Stationery Office. ld 105.5m ie © Crown copyright. F tt o Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright c 1:3,000 w and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. a Aylesbury Vale District Council 100019797 2010 G F 90.8m Pond El Sub Sta

5. Issues Facing the Town

The following issues are identified by AVDC officers from town council documentation, Local Area Forum, Conservation Area publications and other information sources. They are issues considered to be most relevant to planning. The intention is for the town council to add to and/or amend the issues shown as appropriate.

The Buckingham Plan

The Buckingham Plan (2008) is a plan for Buckingham by the Buckingham Town Council following consultation with local communities and stakeholders – see http://www.buckingham‐ tc.gov.uk/buckplan/buckplan.html. The Plan sets out that the town could grow as long as benefits are brought to the whole town – infrastructure and other facilities.

A major part of the plan is the provision of transport improvement including the A421 alignment and capacity. The Town Council argues that if this strategic route could be upgraded/rerouted, development sites could be unlocked along the south side of the existing A421. The Town Council also proposes a link road from the A421 to the A422 west of the town. This could provide housing, a railway walk, a lake balancing scheme and Brackley Road Mill. Finally, a third improved/new road could be provided to the northeast of the town between the A422 and Maids Moreton. Other issues are raised on health, education, conservation, public realm and tourism proposals and an Action Plan is part of the Buckingham Plan to be regularly monitored with stakeholders.

Officer Comments on Allotment Provision and Burial Grounds

Discussions are ongoing between AVDC, the Town Council and stakeholders regarding the future use of allotments in the town. The Allotments are not owned by the Town Council, they are leased by the Allotment Association. The main issue with allotments appears to be that there are more needed and the current sites are not large enough.

The district council is aware there is an issue regarding the future capacity of the town’s burial ground because of bedrock/geological issues. It is likely a new site will be required to cater for demand into the medium term.

Buckingham Local Area Plan produced by LAF

The Local Area Forum (LAF) covering the Buckingham town council area is the Buckingham LAF. The LAF produced a Local Area Plan in October 2010 which aims to set out agreed local priorities for the LAF area in order to improve the social, economic and environmental conditions over the next three years. The following priorities have been identified following a workshop event with interested parties including the town council:‐

 The need for Buckingham to tap into the East West Rail scheme/lack of sufficient public transport  Need for completion of a bypass between the A421 and A422 west of the town  Town centre congestion  Need for town centre recycling facilities  Increased playground provision (for example there is none in the north and southwest of the town)  Wildlife to be conserved  A cycleway network to be created  Provision of health facilities, including dentists and any need for the Hospital to expand its facilities http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/our_communities/local_area_plans.page

Buckingham Conservation Area

The Buckingham Conservation Area was designated in 1971 and covers the town centre core, River Great Ouse, historic area including St Peter and St Paul’s Church and university buildings. The boundary, characteristics and enhancement opportunities were reviewed in a 2005 Character Appraisal which also defined the special character of historic and architectural merit. Four identity areas were considered to be found:‐

1. Market Square/Market Hill and the Bull Ring 2. St Peter and St Paul’s Church/West Street, School Lane, the original site of St Peter and St Paul’s Church and the University of Buckingham 3. Mitre Street and Bone Hill, Bath Lane, Berties Walk and the Dismantled Railway 4. Station Road and Station Terrace, Chandos, Chandos Park, Bourton Road, Ford Street and Bridge Street

The identity areas are shown on page 11 of the 2005 Conservation Area Character Appraisal. Within each of the above, enhancement opportunities were identified including:‐

 Improvements to enclosure in the built environment  Enhancements to the public realm including street furniture and the provision of waste bins  Advice on what appropriate building materials would be on private properties  Dealing effectively with parking  Considering the issue of Street Signage

Maids Moreton Conservation Area

This is of relevance to Buckingham because the Conservation Area boundary runs adjacent the northern extent of Buckingham. The Conservation Area was appraised in July 2009 and noted the importance of the identity of Maids Moreton. Maids Moreton itself is considered to have three identify areas – one of which at Scotts Lane/Duck Lake/Avenue Road is near the northern extent of Buckingham. The Conservation Area Appraisal also notes the importance of a green 51

space and tree preservation order adjacent Avenue Road and Scotts Lane in providing a barrier to encroachment of Buckingham. The appraisal document can be found at http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/planning‐building/conservation‐listed‐ buildings/conservation‐areas‐in‐the‐district/maids‐moreton‐conservation‐area/

Stowe Conservation Area

The review of this conservation area is not due therefore it is not likely any issues arising from development in Buckingham are going to be identified soon.

Vision and Design Statement for Buckingham, 2001

This was produced by the Buckingham Town Design Group, a project group made up of the Buckingham Town Council and various local amenity groups. The Statement promotes an understanding of Buckingham’s sense of place, its distinctive character and to encourage high quality design in new development that reflects local context. The design guidelines would be a consideration for planning applications and cover:‐

 Spatial Layout  Materials  Scale  Landscape Detailing  Elevation and Roofline

A full copy of the Buckingham Vision and Design Statement (VDS) 2001 can be obtained from the Buckingham Town Design Group. An appraisal on the VDS was also carried out in 2010. The Buckingham Design Guidelines (which were produced from the VDS) were adopted by AVDC as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the District Local Plan in April 2001.

Flooding in Buckingham

There have been two significant flooding events in the last 15 years. The first was the Great Ouse catchment in Easter 1998 with around 114 properties affected. Around 70 homes in Buckingham were flooded in July 2007 when the River Great Ouse burst its banks. The torrential rain also caused flooding problems elsewhere in the district as drainage systems struggled to deal with the exceptional rainfall. In response to these events the Government has investigated flood defences for the town and funding for individual property protection. For more information please see http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2009/jun/buckingham‐benefit‐flood‐protection‐ money/

Buckingham Arm of the Grand Union Canal

AVDC have agreed to support the Buckingham Canal Society in their objective of reconstructing and reopening the Buckingham Arm waterway. More information is available at http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/news/2011/feb/council‐pledges‐support‐canal‐restoration‐ project

6. Town Constraints

The town council area has a number of historic and environmental constraints to be considered. These have been identified on the A3 constraints maps on the next few pages with explanations setting out definitions for each designation.

Historic Constraints

Conservation Areas

A Conservation Area is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. They are designated by the Council. The first CAs were designated in 1967 and there are now over 8000 in England. Around Buckingham there are Conservation Areas at:‐

 Buckingham town centre  Stowe  Maids Moreton (adjacent the ward/parish boundary).

The Buckingham Conservation Area covers a significant area of the Buckingham Town Centre and is also the prime focus for listed buildings in the parish.

Listed Buildings

Buildings are listed by English Heritage and help conserve the structure, use and setting of a building important to history or architecture. The older a building is, the more likely it is to be listed. All buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed, as are most of those built between 1700 and 1840. The criteria become tighter with time, so that post‐1945 buildings have to be exceptionally important to be listed. A building has normally to be over 30 years old to be eligible for listing.

In Buckingham, the main concentrations of listed buildings are in the conservation areas, particularly in the town centre vicinity of Bridge Street, High Street and Castle Street. There is also a concentration of listed buildings in Hunter Street and Church Street. There are no other concentrations of listed buildings in the town.

Archaeological Notification Areas

These are areas within which there is specific evidence recorded on the Buckinghamshire Historic Environment Record indicating the existence, or probable existence, of heritage assets of archaeological interest. Data managed by the County Council. In Buckingham Town Centre, there are areas behind Castle Fields, Church Close (Maids Moreton), Page Hill, the town centre

(vicinity of the Church of St Peter and St Paul), the disused railway and off Tingewick Road. In the rest of the parish, the main areas are:‐

 Roman Fields, south of the A421  Roman Settlement, south of the A421  Ring ditch, south of Brackley Road and north of former railway line

There are also areas of Ridge and Furrow, an archaeological pattern of fields and troughs – an example of this is at Heartlands.

Current and Historic Landfill Sites

Records of where the Council’s Environmental Health department is aware of the existence of contaminated land. Also where the previous or current land use means where there is the potential for contaminated land (although this has not been investigated).

Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM)

A nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change. The St Rumbold’s Well is a designated SAM and is located on the southwestern edge of the town centre. In the rest of the parish, Thornborough Bridge is a SAM, off the A421 on the eastern edge of the parish boundary.

Historic Land Use

This shows a historic record of an alternative use or other development on a site. The data is planning history maintained by the local planning authority.

New Potential Contaminated Land

Where the previous or current land use means where there is the potential for contaminated land (although this has not been investigated by the Council’s Environmental Health Department). The sites in the Buckingham parish include:‐

 Former Quarry adjacent St Rumbold’s Well  Lenborough Grove  Stratford Fields  Buckingham Wharf  Old sewerage farm on Heartlands  The Paint Factory Site on Nelson Street & Fishers Field  Old Abattoir Site at Treefields

Current or Historic Landfill Site

Where there currently is a landfill waste disposal site, or there has been in the site’s history. In the Buckingham parish these are located at:‐

 Bent Hill Farm (south of the A421, west of the A413)  Stratford Road, near Page Hill  Manor Farm, Bourton  Grange Farm, south of the A421

Environmental Constraints

Flood Plain (Fluvial Flooding)

This is areas susceptible to river flooding and in Flood Zones 2 or 3 as defined by the Environment Agency. These areas are updated by the EA quarterly. The affected areas are:‐  up to approximately 200 metres wide of the River Great Ouse from the western parish boundary to the east.  on the southern parish boundary, the Padbury Brook (the Twins)

It is worth noting that just beyond the parish boundary to the northeast is Hyde Lane (Foscote) Reservoir which is a significant area prone to fluvial flooding, containing numerous Notable Species and is a large Local Wildlife Site.

Areas Susceptible to Surface Water Flooding

Areas where high rainfall events are likely to exceed the drainage capacity in an area. The main areas for Buckingham are tributaries off the River Great Ouse – these affect both the north and south of the town.

Local Nature Reserves

Buckinghamshire County Council designated sites with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. The main site is the sandpit behind the cadet huts on Stratford Road adjacent to Maids Moreton Avenue.

Notable Species

Notable Species Sites are locations of important ecological species recorded by the Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire Biological Records Centre. The Notable Species Sites are sensitive information and as such the species of wildlife cannot be stated in the fact pack. However, the Environmental Records Centre can be contacted to give a case‐by‐case response – contact [email protected]. The Centre also has an information request form that people can fill in to provide the details of their search enquiry. This can be downloaded from their website at the following address: http://www.buckinghamshirepartnership.gov.uk/partnership/BucksMKERC/data_search.page?

Notable Species are located predominantly to the north of the town towards and into Maids Moreton. There are also some sites in the town centre area. It is worth noting that just beyond the parish boundary to the northeast is Hyde Lane (Foscote) Reservoir which is a significant area prone to fluviual flooding, containing numerous Notable Species and is a large Local Wildlife Site.

Local Wildlife Sites

Local non‐statutory designation for areas of land which are considered to be of significance for its wildlife features and habitats, designated by Buckinghamshire County Council. The main affected area is the south and west of the town is the disused railway land. It is worth noting that just beyond the parish boundaries are:‐  to the northeast is Hyde Lane (Foscote) Reservoir which is a significant area prone to fluvial flooding, containing numerous Notable Species and is a large Local Wildlife Site  Coombes Meadow to the southeast (south of Thornborough Bridge)

Biological Notification Sites

Biological Notification Sites preceded Local Wildlife Sites as a local non‐statutory designation. All Biological Notification Sites are in the process are being re‐surveyed and assessed under Local Wildlife Site criteria. The main areas in Buckingham are at Glebe Terrace and south of Foscote Road at Wellmore.

Local Geological Sites

Local Geological Sites are selected by voluntary geoconservation groups, and Geology Trusts, which are have been produced from Buckinghamshire County Council. The main site is the sandpit behind the cadet huts on Stratford Road adjacent to Maids Moreton Avenue.

Landscape constraints

Landscape Character Assessment

Produced in 2008 by Jacobs as an evidence base for the Local Development Framework. This Assessment covers the whole of Aylesbury Vale District outside the built up areas of Aylesbury, Buckingham, Haddenham, Winslow and Wendover and groups landscape into 79 landscape character areas and 13 landscape character types.

There are 5 landscape character types affecting the parish beyond the limits of Buckingham Town Centre. These are:‐

 LCT03 Valley Bottom  LCT04 Undulating Clay Plateau  LCT05 Shallow Valleys  LCT 02 Incised Valleys  LCT01 Wooded Ridge

Areas of Sensitive Landscape

Produced in 2008 by Jacobs as evidence for the Local Development Framework. The study followed up the Landscape Character Assessment looking specifically at how sensitive areas are to change and new development. The following criteria determine how sensitive a landscape is – landscape quality, scenic quality, rarity, representativeness, conservation interests, wildness, associations and tranquillity. There are four categories of sensitive landscape identified in the Areas of Sensitive Landscapes study – the higher the percentage shown on the map, the more sensitive a landscape is likely to be to new development. The following two areas are the more sensitive landscapes in the parish:‐

 The Padbury Brook (The Twins) floodplain  Stowe Avenue

In addition, just beyond the parish boundary to the northeast, the vicinity of Foscote Reservoir is also a sensitive landscape.

Agricultural Land Constraints

Agricultural Land Classification

Agricultural land classified into five grades. Grade one is best quality and grade five is poorest quality. The most up to date district‐wide data is from 2002 and owned by Natural England. In some parts of the district (mainly around the larger settlements) this is supplemented by more detailed surveys.

There are significant areas of Grade 2 Agricultural Land at Buckingham (see detailed surveys on map) – this is at Page Hill, Bourton Road, Lock Meadow, south of the A421 towards Gawcott and to the northeast of the town. There are large tracts of Grade 3a Land – especially to the southwest and northwest of the town.

Topography

Most of the built up area either side of the Great Ouse rises to 80‐90m Above Ordnance Datum. The highest areas are Page Hill at 105m and Maids Moreton at 115m. To the north and southwest (Gawcott Fields) in the parish land rises to around 125m above sea level.

Infrastructure and transport connections

The infrastructure map shows that unlike some other settlements, Buckingham has employment, retail and public transport on the edge of the settlement, even south of the A421 bypass. Facilities such as schools and the university are more centrally located and there is a cycle route out from the centre into the housing area at Bourton Road/Heartlands. A cycle route is also being considered as part of the 700 home development proposed by Hallam Land on the A421/London Road. To the north side of Buckingham there are existing facilities, employment, bus services and planned housing areas whilst Maids Moreton also has its own provision. Central Buckingham offers a good range of both independent and chain shops, services and community facilities.

0 20 5

1 2

5 1 9 Buckingham Agricultural Land Use Classification and Topography 2 5 5 0 10 1 5 1 1 9 0 0 105

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0 0 1 80 11 5

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0 90 9 0 90 8 5 110 0 10 05 11 1 5 105 1 0 Key 5 Contour Lines Parish Boundary Agricultural Land Classification GRADE 3 100 GRADE 4 NON AGRICULTURAL

5 Detailed Agricultural Land Classification 7

Not Surveyed 0 110 1:16,000 1 120 Other 0 75 11 Buckingham Environmental Constraints

Key

0 105 210 420 Meters Tree Preservation Orders Flood Plain Areas Suseptible to Surface Water Flooding This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her % Majesty's Stationery Office. ´ Notable Species © Crown copyright.

Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright Local Wildlife Sites and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Aylesbury Vale District Council 100019797 2010 1:10,000 Local Geological Sites Buckingham Historic Constraints

Buckingham CP

Key

Parishes Conservation Areas Listed Buildings Historic Parks and Gardens 0 50100 200 300 400 500 600 Scheduled Ancient Monuments Meters Archaeological Notification Areas This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Historic Landfill Sites Majesty's Stationery Office. ´ © Crown copyright. Historic Land Use Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. New Potential Contaminated Land Aylesbury Vale District Council 100019797 2010 1:16,000 Buckingham Landscape

Key HS2-ARP-00-GI-RW-00226_OptimisedRoute3_v3 Settlements LCT 01 Wooded Ridge LCT 02 Incised Valleys LCT 03 Valley Bottom LCT 04 Undulating Clay Plateau LCT 05 Shallow Valleys LCT 06 Greensand Ridge LCT 07 Wooded Rolling Lowlands 0 50100 200 300 400 500 600 LCT 08 Vale LCT 09 Low Hills and Ridges LCT 10 Chalk Foothills Metres LCT 11 Chalk Escarpment This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the LCT 12 Chalk Dip Slope LCT 13 Chalk Valleys permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of ´ Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Landscape Sensitivity © Crown copyright. 0 - 50% Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead 50 - 75% to prosecution or civil proceedings. 75 - 90% Aylesbury Vale District Council 100019797 2011. 1:16,000 90 - 100% Buckingham Infrastructure and Transport Connections

Key

Parish Boundary Employment Facility 0 150 300 600 Meters Retail ´ Service © Crown Copyright an d database right 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019797. Main Roads 1:15,000 Public rights of way Annex 1: Housing Waiting List

Annex 2: References

Local Plans Source AVDC Community Led http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/community‐living/community‐ Planning led‐planning/ Community Led Plans ‐ www.clp‐se.org.uk South East Rural Communities Council Local Area Plans http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/our_communities/local_area_plans. page Statistics ACORN ward profile Paper copy. Buckinghamshire County Council, March 2010

Local Area Profile Paper copy, AVDC, 2006 Employment Land Study http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local‐development‐ 2008 plans/planning‐policy/withdrawn‐core‐strategy/avldf‐evidence‐ base/employment‐evidence/aylesbury‐vale‐employment‐land‐study‐ march‐2008/?LGNTF=71 ONS www.ons.gov.uk BCC education Paper Copy. BCC Cabinet report from May 2010. Also information from BCC, December 2010 School Location http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/schools/ea_Name_search.page Doctors Information from database held by the Primary Care Trust, October 2010 Housing Hometrack http://www.housingintelligence.co.uk/ (membership required) Completions AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing)

Commitments AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing)

Affordable Housing AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing) Completions No. Parish Dwellings AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing) (Housing Stock) Rural exception schemes AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing) Employment Losses and gains in last AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing) five years (B1,2, and 8)

Environmental Constraints Listed buildings http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/

Maps AVDC, December 2010. Produced using ArcMap with license from Ordnance Survey Conservation Areas and http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local‐development‐ Management Plans plans/planning‐policy/supplementary‐planning‐ documents/conservation‐area‐supplementary‐planning‐document/

Green Infrastructure Aylesbury Vale Green http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/leisure‐culture/parks‐open‐ Infrastructure Strategy spaces/aylesbury‐vale‐green‐infrastructure‐strategy/ 2011‐2026

Buckinghamshire Green http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/strategic_planning/green_infrastruc Infrastructure Strategy ture.page

AVDC Green Spaces http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/leisure‐culture/planning‐policy‐ Audit guidance‐17/‐green‐space‐audit/

Transport Public transport stops http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses‐and‐trains/Maps/Real‐ time‐bus‐map.aspx Bus time tables http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses‐and‐trains/Bus‐ timetables.aspx Community Transport http://www.alt‐transport.org.uk/schemes_av.asp Schemes Other Settlement audit 2008 http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local‐development‐ plans/planning‐policy/withdrawn‐core‐strategy/avldf‐evidence‐ base/miscellaneous‐evidence/review‐rural‐settlement‐hierarchy Aerial Photography http://maps.google.co.uk/maps Population stats from AVDC, 2010, paper copies available on request for the last 5 censuses 1951