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Aylesbury estate ghetto fear
A new housing estate in Aylesbury is already in danger of becoming like a ghetto, it has been claimed.
The warning came as plans to concentrate social housing into just one area of Buckingham Park were submitted by developers Taylor Wimpey.
Police have strongly objected to the proposals, arguing that the estate already suffers 'notable' levels of crime which can only get worse if the scheme goes ahead.
And county Councillor Niknam Hussain said Buckingham Park runs the risk of becoming like a ghetto if the plans are approved by Aylesbury Vale District Council.
Outline planning permission has already been granted to phase 3a and 3b of Buckingham Park but details of the type of housing and the location of affordable housing with the development are yet to be decided.
There have been suggestions that up to 50 per cent of the homes would be owned by housing associations.
A residents' association has even been set up in response to the plan to cluster the social housing into one corner of the new development.
Cllr Hussain said: "I agree with residents' concerns regarding the proposed plans and I am of the opinion that this could become like a ghetto.
"Social housing needs to be distributed throughout the development and not concentrated in one area, as has been proposed.
"There has been anti-social behaviour already reported and the police are well aware of the problems so they too have strongly criticised the plans to move the social housing together."
Mary Poth is one of the committee members of the residents' association.
She says she regrets buying one of the homes off plan from the developers.
"In this part of the development there is social housing mixed in with private housing and that's the layout it should be.
"The other issue is that there is an application for more flats and less family homes.
"We are trying to get Taylor Wimpey to reduce the amount of low cost housing to 10 per cent and the affordable housing to 30 per cent, as was originally stated in the plans.
"Clumping social housing altogether might not sell, but then again, neither is private housing mixed in with social housing.
"It needs to be mixed in, otherwise it will just end up with them and us."
Mr Hussain said there is a wealth of research to show that the best way for people to live is to have different kinds of housing mixed in together.
"The original masterplan was quite clear and Aylesbury Vale District Council needs to seriously consider what is the best option for this development."
The police have strongly criticised the plans to mix private and social housing in together, adding that the current plans do not comply with basic safety standards.
The police report from the crime prevention design team says the problem of anti-social behaviour could be exacerbated if this application is approved.
Police crime prevention design advisor Ian Carmichael said: "I am of the mind that police concerns, advice and objections have not been considered fully in relation to previous phases of the (development], which are now suffering notable levels of crime and anti-social behaviour and, that police nationally recommend minimum standards on the physical security of dwellings are not being achieved.
"Hence a poor environment has been created. Residents park on the narrow streets rather than in the courtyards, retro-fitted locking mechanisms have been installed on garden gates, blinds and curtains in ground floor windows are closed during daylight hours and some residents have even resorted to employing CCTV systems on their homes and surroundings.
"This is evidence that residents do not feel safe within their newly developed community."
Jim Cannell from AVDC said: "There is an outstanding planning application relating to the next phase of Buckingham Park and amongst the issues that need to be considered are the number, type and location of affordable housing which we are currently discussing with the applicant."
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Weather for Aylesbury
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
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