The Society is calling on the District Council and Warner Estates to rethink their plans for the Waterside shopping development.

The development, which includes 35 shop units, a department store, cafes, pubs, restaurants and a supermarket, has created much opposition in the town from local people, politicians and residents alike, which should not be ignored.

The Society feels that the plan is too large and is being built at the wrong time, given the current economic climate.

Whilst not disagreeing that more shops may be  needed in an expanding town,  the Society thinks that 35 is far too many, and that new outlets can be accommodated by utilising existing empty units within the town. Research has shown that there is approx 30,000-35,000 sq ft of empty space in prime areas. In Hale Leys shopping centre there is currently 5250 sq ft and in Friars Square 9750 sq ft vacant.  In the High Street there are large empty units previously occupied by the Woolwich Building Society (1672 sq ft) and 40-51 Savers (2455 sq ft) which, together with the former Post Office, provides more than enough space to expand Aylesbury’s shopping experience. New shops in the High Street would also revitalise this blighted and run-down area.

Warner’s say that they expect to attract specialist stores into their new centre. However, given that there is currently only one in Hale Leys, that statement is a little optimistic. Empty units in the older part of town, for example in Cambridge Street and Temple Street, could accommodate specialist shops. Vacant units in these areas account for approx 7,000 sq ft.

Proposed site of Waterside shopping centre

Another factor to be taken into account is the proposed Sainsbury’s development between Buckingham Street and New Street. Outline planning permission has been granted for a 66,000 sq ft superstore and 10,000 sq ft of smaller shop units.

It is an accepted fact that ‘High Street’ retailing in general is flat at the moment as more people shop on-line. This has already been witnessed in music and literature,   and there is a growing trend to buy other items such as clothing and small appliances on the internet. As more stores like Tescos and Morrison’s move into non-food retailing this will have a knock-on affect in the town centre, as borne out by the recent closure of Morrison’s Electrical and the imminent closure of Record House,  and it would not be surprising to see other small stores disappear as their leases come up for renewal. The flat housing market has seen two Estate Agents close in Aylesbury town centre since November.

A good deal of opposition to the Waterside development has been aimed at the proposed supermarket on the south side of Exchange Street. We question the need for another food store in town, particularly with the opening of Lidl in December and Aldi, in the summer of this year. Both are within walking distance of the proposed new Waterside store. Together with the ever-expanding Tescos, the revamped Morrison’s and the new Sainsbury’s there is a danger of overkill.

Therefore, the Society is proposing that the new supermarket development be abandoned altogether, and that the current scheme should have a smaller footprint limited to the outline of the existing Civic Centre, swimming pool and car park, to accommodate a new department store, adequate car-parking and smaller units, with one or two pubs/restaurants. This would allow the green area fronting Exchange Street to be saved as a leisure area.   If more space was deemed necessary, the old Post Office site in the High Street could be included in the scheme which would give a good frontage onto the revitalised High Street. Looking into the future St Josephs Church and 66 High Street could be demolished and incorporated into the scheme as an when necessary.

Bearbrook disappears

View of Friars Square from the Station

Aylesbury’s only claim to a river running through the town has been, hitherto, the Bearbrook.  How disappointing it is, therefore, to see that the brook  has now disappeared into a culvert under Morrison’s car park. In the past the Society had suggested that the brook had potential to be a water feature, similar to that in Hemel Hempstead.  In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s Hemel incorporated the River Glade into their town landscape, creating the Water Gardens.  Of course, Hemel had the advantage of being a planned new town, similar to Milton Keynes. Unfortunately, Aylesbury, being an older town, has suffered with no long term plan, just piecemeal development. Hemel also had the advantage of two authorities working in unison. The Borough Council and the Commission for the New Towns, both of which only had the town’s interest at heart, as all the councillors lived in the town.   Aylesbury Vale District Councillors, with the exception of those with wards in the town, appear to have no interest in Aylesbury.

The Bearbrook was first culverted when Safeway’s was built in 1990.  It now seems that with the development taking place in Station Way, the river

will be out of sight possibly for ever. The Society Executive Committee has never been wildly enthusiastic about the new Southcourt bridge, and at the time of planning we failed to notice that a new entrance to Morrison’s would be built across the river.  Unfortunately, the feeling now is that the river as far back as Walton Street will be culverted to make way for yet another new car park, an extension to Friars Square or offices. The new owners of the Friars Square Shopping Centre, Multiplex, will surely be looking to add more ‘empty’ shops in the development. As space is limited, they can either go up, across Friarage Road or into the library and County Offices. The Society will be watching developments closely

No kick-start for Kingsbury

The Society has called for a general clean-up in Kingsbury in the past, but there has been no reaction, or action, from the Town Council, District Council or shopkeepers. The area has the potential to be a really relaxing area with a continental feel, and it has achieved this to some degree with some of the restaurants having alfresco seated areas for wining and dining.

Unfortunately, there are too many ugly, out-of-place, shop fascias in the Square that spoil the overall appearance and which the District Council planners have chosen to ignore.  For example, The Yellow Parrott and the nail bars. The latest application to be given the green light is brightly coloured externally illuminated signage at 44 Kingsbury, formerly Ladbrokes Turf Accountants and now a money lending shop. The Society and Town council objected to the original application but Julia Foster, the Historic Buildings Officer for AVDC, has, dropped her opposition to the amended plans for this listed building. We were hoping that by refusing permission, the District Council may have kick started a renaissance for the tatty shopfronts in this area.

 

Members have also reported that that policing of the area is not apparent. Heavy vans and trucks are allowed to mount the pavement to make deliveries when lay-bys are available for this purpose. This is pure laziness by the drivers, and indifference on the part of the shopkeepers. This is not only a hazard to pedestrians but also cracks the expensive paving stones.