Regenerating Bucks: a framework for growth and a bright future

Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet has today adopted a key document setting out the vision for what growth and regeneration should look like in Buckinghamshire.

‘Regenerating Bucks’ is the council’s blueprint for the future growth of the county; a framework which sets out how to meet the needs of the people of Buckinghamshire by enhancing existing assets, making change where it’s needed and attracting new investment into the county.

The vision focuses on maximising the potential of Buckinghamshire’s three larger towns, Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Chesham alongside enhancing the strengths of the county’s network of towns and villages as well as its extraordinary natural environment.

The purpose of the ‘Regenerating Bucks’ framework is to guide the approach to regeneration in Buckinghamshire and how growth will be delivered for the county. It sets out how to enhance existing spaces so they are fit for modern life, building on Buckinghamshire’s history of being a productive, creative and entrepreneurial location as a significant contributor to the UK economy.

The framework is not a statutory document and instead provides a structure and vision that will inform future decisions around planning, development and place-making. It recognises the growing, ageing local population and how needs and behaviours have changed in recent years, and addresses how we make our high streets and town centres fit for the future.

Alongside the overarching framework, the council has also produced three separate regeneration strategies for Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Chesham, recognising that successful town centres will support the communities in those areas. These strategies set out the ambitions in our bigger towns to:

a) create vibrant and characterful town centres which celebrate local culture and heritage and offer high quality inclusive public realm where people will want to live, work, visit, shop and relax.

b) create fertile conditions for enterprise and skills to support the launch of new businesses and create the conditions for them to succeed.

The framework also considers the aligned Opportunity Bucks programme, which aims to create equal access to opportunities for all. It also underpins the delivery of existing funding grants, such as the Future High Street Fund in High Wycombe, The Aylesbury Garden Town initiative, as well as providing the basis to secure future funding opportunities in the county.

Councillor Rachael Matthews, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration said:

“Overall, the aim of this framework is to examine our existing places in Buckinghamshire – residential, employment, open spaces, infrastructure, towns and villages – pinpointing how to revitalise them to create thriving, prosperous places that attract investment and opportunity for all.

This is about retaining what is best about Buckinghamshire and creating spaces that enhance the lives of people who live, work and visit here. It has to be about value for money, attracting investment and working with partners to pull in the same direction with a cohesive, ‘whole county’ approach to regeneration. Life evolves and we need to be sure our future plans for the county reflects our changing needs. It’s about exactly that – preparing for the future and managing our own destiny with others who are invested in our county and its future.

This has been a long-term piece of work which acts as an over-arching guide to future decision-making and importantly, a framework for Buckinghamshire to thrive and flourish.”