The Growth, Infrastructure & Housing Select Committee of Buckinghamshire Council met on Tuesday 27 January 2026 to discuss a range of topics including capital works at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens, progress on the Buckinghamshire Local Plan, and updates on Buckinghamshire Archives and Aylesbury Housing Infrastructure Funding projects. The committee also reviewed its work programme for future meetings.

Capital Works to Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens

The committee was scheduled to consider capital works at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens, a Grade I listed site of historical, cultural, and horticultural significance. The report outlined the gardens' background, established in the early 20th century as a Garden of Remembrance. It detailed capital improvement works undertaken since Buckinghamshire Council was formed, including a Phase 1 Garden Extension completed in 2020, a Phase 2 Garden Extension finished in 2023 which introduced accessible pathways and new landscaping, and a Covid Memorial Garden established in 2024 through fundraising. The report also highlighted planned future projects, such as building refurbishment and relining the colonnade, with projected capital spend for 2026/27 and beyond. Community engagement activities, including various trails and annual events, were also detailed, alongside future ambitions for the site's sustainability and income generation.

Update on the Buckinghamshire Local Plan

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided on the progress of the Buckinghamshire Local Plan. This plan is crucial for guiding development across the county. The report pack indicated that the committee would receive information on the plan's progress, with a particular emphasis on public consultation. The National Planning Policy Framework implications were also to be discussed, noting the government's 'standard method' for establishing housing requirements, which is no longer advisory. The report highlighted a significant increase in the number of homes needed per year under the confirmed new government formula, requiring approximately 69,000 new homes within the local plan period of 2024-2045, in addition to those already with planning permission.

Buckinghamshire Archives

The committee was set to receive an update on the services provided by Buckinghamshire Archives. The report detailed the archives' statutory role as an approved Place of Deposit for public records and the official Diocesan Record Office for the Anglican Church. It outlined the service's vision and mission, focusing on proactive collection, preservation, and engagement with diverse communities. Key service provisions include onsite and online access, digital engagement, conservation, cataloguing, digital preservation, and local studies. The report also highlighted wider partnerships and outreach activities, including award-winning work on the Disability Sports Archive Project and the 'Lost Victorian Voices' LGBTQ+ project. A significant point of discussion was the planned relocation of the archives from Aylesbury to new premises in High Wycombe, expected to be completed in early 2027, which is a condition for maintaining accredited status.

Aylesbury Housing Infrastructure Funding Projects

The committee was scheduled to evaluate the progress of the Aylesbury Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) projects. This fund, administered by Homes England, aims to unlock housing developments by forward-funding critical infrastructure. The report detailed the HIF award of over £172 million, with a deadline for drawdown by March 2028, facilitating up to 10,000 new homes. The update was expected to cover the status of various link road projects, including the South-East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) Phase 1 (currently in construction) and Phase 2 (complete), the Eastern Link Road (ELR) and Woodlands development (in negotiation), and the South West Link Road (SWLR) (in design). The report also listed facilitated major housing sites and their associated link roads, along with challenges and comments on the delivery of these roads, some of which are developer-led.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to discuss and agree on the items for its future meetings, outlining the planned topics and contributors for upcoming sessions. This included discussions on Housing, Planning & Growth, Culture & Leisure, and performance monitoring. Future topics also included the Buckinghamshire Local Plan, Future Healthcare Planning, the Buckinghamshire Economic Strategy and Delivery Plan, Town Centre Regeneration, the Active Places and Spaces Strategy, and Library Flex.