AMBITIOUS plans for the future of Aylesbury have taken a big leap forward after the masterplan and vision for its Garden Town were approved.

Buckinghamshire Council’s top team had already nodded through the plans but now the project has received the blessing of the entire council.

This means work to deliver the scheme, which will see the area ‘greened’ as 16,000 homes are built in the town by 2033, can now move forward.

READ MORE: What is Aylesbury Garden Town?

Councillor Steve Bowles, the council’s town centre regeneration boss, is set to spearhead the scheme after taking over leadership of the Aylesbury Garden Town board from councillor Bill Chapple.

Cllr Bowles said: “I am grateful for Bill’s vision and dedication that has delivered the Masterplan and I am excited by what the future holds for Aylesbury.

Bucks Free Press:

“Our success will only be delivered by working with our partners and communities to fulfil the aspirations to make Aylesbury a great place to live, work and visit and do business and I look forward to being part of making that happen."

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The vision and masterplan were approved at a meeting of the council on Wednesday, July 15, following a change in the governance of the Garden Town board a month prior.

The make-up of the board was raised at the July meeting, with two opposition councillors suggesting there was “political bias” in the governance of the group.

Bucks Free Press:

Susan Morgan, another opposition councillor, added: “Why is this still a single-party Conservative project that appears to serve the needs of Conservative councillors rather than working cross-party to serve the needs of Aylesbury residents?

READ MORE: Government confirms funding available for Aylesbury Garden Town

“It should not be political. It should be about working alongside town and parish councillors and other partners to identify and meet the needs of our residents.”

Councillor Bowles hit back at councillor Morgan saying he disagreed with her claims.

He said: “We are forming a new board and there will be parish and town council representation and other stakeholders on that board.

“It isn’t a political project, it’s a project for the benefit of every resident in Aylesbury.”