Aylesbury Vale District Council has confirmed that construction company Morgan Ashurst will build the multi-million pound chamber and conference centre.

The project should be finished by March next year – just nine months from now and two years on from when funds were first set aside in the capital budget for the project.

The blueprints show a curved building, which will showcase a 'floating feature roof' with an oculus – a huge glass lens – placed on top, to reflect natural light back into the building.

Take a virtual tour of the chamber by clicking 'Play' now.

Despite questions over the wisdom of spending such a large sum on a new building given the economic climate, Councillor Michael Edmonds, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development, said it would have its own financial benefits.

"Our new conference centre and council chamber will be a fantastic building with a real civic presence. It will be an excellent place for our debates and will also be more able to accommodate local people who want to attend our meetings.

"Our aim is to create a building that local people and councillors can be proud of. The suite will also be available for other organisations to use, so we should be able to generate some income while reducing our own costs of hiring."

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