Buckinghamshire Conservatives, including our Aylesbury constituency Councillors have highlighted the scale of development being imposed on the County as Buckinghamshire Council progresses work on a new Local Plan. The Council is legally required to demonstrate how Buckinghamshire can accommodate 95,000 homes, a 43% increase compared with the previous needs-based calculation, following changes made by the Labour Government.
The Local Plan does not create the housing numbers, but it is the only mechanism available to control where development occurs and importantly prevents speculative applications being approved on appeal.
Without an up-to-date plan, developers could secure permission in unsuitable locations and with fewer infrastructure commitments. This Labour Government, which includes the Aylesbury Member of Parliament, has provided no additional funding to support the scale of growth that is being required. While developer contributions will fund part of the infrastructure needed, they are expected to cover only a fraction of the multi-billion-pound cost of new roads, transport links, schools, healthcare provision, sewage systems and energy infrastructure. Leaving local communities facing significant pressure on already overstretched services while Central Government determines housing numbers.
The Council’s efforts to prioritise brownfield land, protect our Green Belt and National Landscapes where possible, and also carefully manage growth in towns and villages to reduce impact on rural communities should be welcomed across the County.
More than 1,300 residents and stakeholders have already taken part in a consultation, and of around 1,400 submitted sites, approximately 400 are now undergoing further assessment for suitability and infrastructure capacity. No final decisions have been taken.
The draft Local Plan is expected to be published this summer. Residents and community groups are encouraged to provide evidence and comments through the current engagement process before 11.59pm on 16 March 2026:
https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/sites-survey
Please make sure you have your say and take part in all parts of the Local Plan process over the coming year.
