Future of Aylesbury Crown Court hangs in the balance as options considered
The proposed Aylesbury Crown Court
The existing Aylesbury Crown Court could be updated as plans for a new £20 million building remain in the balance, the Bucks Herald understands.
Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service is considering ‘a number of options’ for the project.
Plans for a new four-courtroom in Walton Street to replace the Market Square building were put on hold after the October 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review, and there is no deadline for a decision to be made on the project.
A HM Courts & Tribunals spokesman said: “We have a responsibility to ensure our building projects provide good value for money and are sustainable in the long term.
“We are currently considering a number of options, including conversion of existing courtroom provision and new builds. At this stage no decision has been made.”
This raises the possibility that the planned project could be scrapped and the existing Crown Court, which was once described as a ‘judicial slum’ by Aylesbury MP David Lidington, brought up to standard.
It is also possible that Crown Court facilities could be combined with the existing Walton Street Magistrates’ Court.
Mr Lidington has previously taken up the issue with former Justice Secretary Ken Clarke.
Mr Lidington said: “There is no doubt in my mind about two things, firstly Aylesbury needs a Crown Court and secondly the present facilities are not fit for witnesses or for judges and court staff – the place is a judicial slum.”
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Weather for Aylesbury
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 15 C
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