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Town centre Sainsbury’s plans are praised but surrounding roads remain a concern
Sainsbury's plans New Street and Cambridge Street
Plans to revamp the town centre Sainsbury’s and the surrounding area have been praised for ‘addressing the concerns’ of locals.
Aylesbury Town Council wrote to the supermarket giant in July, urging it to regenerate its Buckingham Street site which it referred to as ‘an eyesore and a waste of really good central space for too many years’.
But now, planning boss at the council, Councillor Steven Mitchell, has said while he cannot say how the body will vote on the plans when they are submitted, he is pleased to see Sainsbury’s appears to have responded to some of the councillors’ requests.
Mr Mitchell said: “The area on Cambridge Street really needs a tidy up, and this development certainly looks like it will improve the appearance of that part of town.”
Sainsbury’s will, however, need to take a closer look at the highways in town, he added, as the Cambridge Street roundabout is already very busy.
“I think that with the new retirement apartments and a refurbished store, they will need to look at perhaps putting in a pedestrian crossing there.
“That corner’s already incredibly busy. Maybe something like the Bourg Walk crossing would be an idea, where people can cross in one go, rather than being caught in the middle of the road. There’s already a lot of people cross that road for the retail park.
“Maybe even a traffic light junction would be an idea for that roundabout.”
Mr Mitchell added that the building planned for the Gatehouse site doesn’t look ‘too bad’ and that it appears to be a good location, as there is no where else of adequate size close to town.
People in the town would however appreciate a petrol station, he said.
Meanwhile, the honorary secretary of The Aylesbury Society Roger King, said the group’s ‘initial reaction to the plans were to welcome them’.
Mr King said: “We’re slightly concerned about the height of the apartments, but that wouldn’t be grounds enough for us to object to it.
“It would be really good to see that part of the town centre revitalised, and I think the revamped Buckingham Street store will bring people into town.”
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Weather for Aylesbury
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
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Temperature: 4 C to 14 C
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