Aylesbury Conservation Area appraisal consultation

Feedback updated 15 Jul 2026

We asked

We asked to what degree you agreed or disagreed with each of nine proposed additions and two proposed exclusions to the Aylesbury Conservation Area. Full details can be found in the Aylesbury Conservation Area appraisal document. We also asked for general comments on the proposed revision to the Aylesbury Conservation Area appraisal and management plan.

The consultation ran from 17 September to 29 October 2025.

You said

55 people responded to the consultation on Your Voice Bucks.

People’s opinions on the proposed changes were as follows:

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add Highbridge Walk, Albion Street and Coronation Villas to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 23 (41.8%)
Agreed - 13 (23.6%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 0
Disagreed - 0
Strongly disagreed – 2 (3.6%)
Didn’t t know - 0
Didn’t answer – 17 (30.9%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add the Canal Basin and Waterside Theatre to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 22 (40.0%)
Agreed - 11 (20.0%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 3 (5.5%)
Disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Strongly disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Didn't know - 0
Didn’t answer - 17 (30.9%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add the Blue Leanie and grounds to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 12 (21.8%)
Agreed – 12 - (21.8%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 7 (12.7%)
Disagreed - 4 (7.3%)
Strongly disagreed - 3 (5.5%)
Didn't know - 0
Didn’t answer - 17 (30.9%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add Walton Parish Hall to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 16 (29.1%)
Agreed - 13 (23.6%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 6 (10.9%)
Disagreed - 0
Strongly disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Didn't know - 0
Didn’t answer - 19 (34.6%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add the Malt House and Granary, Walton, to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 19 (34.6%)
Agreed - 10 (18.2%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 3 (5.5%)
Disagreed - 2 (3.6%)
Strongly disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Didn't know - 0
Didn’t answer - 20 (36.4%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add some areas of Buckingham Street to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 12 (21.8%)
Agreed - 15 (27.3%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 5 (9.1%)
Disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Strongly disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Didn't know - 0
Didn’t answer - 21 (38.2%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add Cambridge Street to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 15 (27.3%)
Agreed - 12 (21.8%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 6 (10.9%)
Disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Strongly disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Didn't know - 1 (1.8%)
Didn’t answer - 19 (34.6%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add the southern and northern ends of the High Street to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 15 (27.3%)
Agreed - 9 (16.4%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 8 (14.6%)
Disagreed - 0
Strongly disagreed - 2 (3.6%)
Didn't know - 1 (1.8%)
Didn’t answer - 20 (36.4%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to add Friars Square steps from Market Square to the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 6 (10.9%)
Agreed - 6 (10.9%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 10 (18.2%)
Disagreed - 8 (14.6%)
Strongly disagreed - 3 (5.5%)
Didn't know - 2 (3.6%)
Didn’t answer - 20 (36.4%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to exclude Chadbone Close from the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 9 (16.4%)
Agreed - 10 (18.2%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 7 (12.7%)
Disagreed - 3 (5.5%)
Strongly disagreed - 13 (23.6%)
Didn't know - 2 (3.6%)
Didn’t answer - 11 (20.0%)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to exclude Green End and the bottom of Rickford’s Hill from the Aylesbury Conservation Area?

Strongly agreed - 12 (21.8%)
Agreed - 13 (23.6%)
Neither agreed nor disagreed - 9 (16.4%)
Disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Strongly disagreed - 1 (1.8%)
Didn't know - 0
Didn’t answer - 19 (34.6%)

Key views expressed in the text responses to the survey were:

there is overwhelming support for including the New County Offices (a 1960s brutalist building) in the conservation area. Respondents argue it is architecturally and historically significant, and its omission leaves it vulnerable to demolition or unsympathetic development.

residents want earlier and more direct communication about proposed changes, especially those affecting their properties or neighbourhoods.

calls for clearer, more consistent criteria for what is included or excluded from the conservation area, especially when other modern buildings (like the Blue Leanie and Waterside Theatre) are included.

many recommend retaining Chadbone Close within the conservation area due to its historical connections, landscape, and wildlife value.

respondents suggest more funding and stricter enforcement of conservation standards, including traditional shopfronts, street furniture, and public spaces.

We did

The public consultation led to some changes to the proposed boundary. Chadbone Close, which had been proposed to be removed, was retained within the Conservation Area. There were many requests for Walton Street Offices/New County Offices to be included in the Conservation Area, including strong representation on this matter from Aylesbury Town Council.

Having considered the site’s context and the wider objectives for the area, the Council has reviewed the potential inclusion of Walton Street Offices / the New County Offices within the Conservation Area. On balance, it has been decided not to extend the Conservation Area boundary to include this site, in order to retain flexibility to support appropriate regeneration and renewal in this part of the town centre, which is a Council priority. It is also noted that Walton Street Offices benefits from a Certificate of Immunity from Listing until 2028, which is a material consideration in this assessment.

The amended Conservation Area Assessment for Aylesbury was adopted at a meeting of Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet on 1 July 2026.

Overview

The Aylesbury Conservation Area is key to preserving and enhancing Aylesbury's heritage. We want to hear your views on changes we're proposing to make to the conservation area boundaries.

What a conservation area is What a conservation area is

A conservation area is defined in law as ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.

As the local planning authority, it is our responsibility to identify places of special architectural of historical interest in our towns and villages, and to designate them as conservation areas. We also have a responsibility to review these conservation areas from time to time to determine whether any further parts of the local area should be included, or existing parts excluded.

Most of our duties regarding conservation areas are set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (Gov.UK).

Designation of a conservation area recognises the unique quality of the heritage of that area as a whole. This quality comes not only from individual buildings but also other features, including (but not limited to) topography, materials, thoroughfares, street furniture, open spaces and landscaping. These all contribute to the historic character and appearance of an area, resulting in a distinctive local identity and sense of place.

The features of special interest of a conservation area are set out in a document known as a conservation area appraisal. This is used to inform the overall management of the area as well as individual planning decisions within it. It also acts as a reference document that engages the local community and visitors with the history and heritage of that place.

Aylesbury Conservation Area review

We have now completed a review of the Aylesbury Conservation Area. Based on the findings of the review we are proposing a number of changes to the boundaries of the area, with nine proposed additions and two proposed exclusions. We would like to hear the views of people who live locally or have an interest in the townon these proposed changes.

We'd also like to hear your general comments on the other proposed changes to the conservation area appraisal and management plan.

How to have your say

You can tell us your views in one of the following ways:

complete the online survey using the link at the end of the page
complete and return a printed version of the survey (PDF 278KB)
email us at ConservationAreaConsultations@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
write to us at: The Heritage & Archaeology Team, Buckinghamshire Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 8FF

If you have any questions about this activity, or require this information in another format or language, please email us at ConservationAreaConsultations@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

Please tell us your views by 11:59pm on 29 October 2025.

What happens next

Once the consultation closes, we will analyse the responses we have received. We will then review our proposed changes to the conservation area in the light of your responses and revise them where appropriate.

Privacy

We will use the information you provide here only for this activity. We will store the information securely in line with data protection laws and will not share or publish any personal details. Survey responses will be analysed using Microsoft products including Copilot, Excel and Word. For more information about data and privacy, please see our privacy policy.

If you have questions about data and privacy, please email us on dataprotection@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or write to our Data Protection Officer at Buckinghamshire Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF.

Areas

Aylesbury Community Board

Interests

Communities
Culture
Environment
Parks and open spaces
Planning
Regeneration