Part A Spatial Strategy - Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire (Reg 18)

Local Plan Vision

In 2045, we have sustained the essential rural character of Buckinghamshire, with its network of small towns and villages, maintaining its rich and varied historic environment. In particular, we have protected and supported the purposes of the Chilterns National Landscape and protected other valued local landscapes from harmful development. We have maximised use of brownfield and Grey Belt land to meet critical development and infrastructure needs following the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

We have created healthy places to grow-up, live, work, and age, that enable people to live healthy, fulfilling lives by supporting their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Our sustainable new communities are socially cohesive, through the delivery of well-designed housing for different groups in the community, including key worker housing, together with the social, digital and physical infrastructure needed to support them.

Our new employment sites provide the space for our businesses to grow and generate investment. These have all been built to high environmental standards in carefully chosen locations best able to accommodate growth. We have improved Buckinghamshire's productivity by cementing its reputation as a leader in creative industries, space, high performance technology sectors. It is seen as a place of innovation and collaboration where businesses of all sizes can grow, and local skills and career opportunities are easily accessed.

High-quality mixed-use developments have revitalised our town centres e.g. those of Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Chesham, and Princes Risborough, delivering public realm and local transport improvements.

Buckinghamshire continues to successfully protect and enhance our valued green spaces, local landscapes and our biodiversity (having regards to the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Local Nature Recovery). Green and blue infrastructure networks have been established, including significant new tree planting and natural habitat restoration and creation. Our initiatives provide active and sustainable travel choices, and the delivery of new renewable energy schemes have reduced harmful emissions.