Buckinghamshire Council can exercise compulsory purchase powers to acquire land for a new road and 1,100 homes, its decision-making executive has said.

Cabinet agreed yesterday (8 October) that the council could start preparatory work towards compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) in relation to the Eastern Link Road South and Woodlands development near Aylesbury.

CPOs would only be a ‘fall-back position’ should the council fail to negotiate ‘satisfactory deals with the various landowners’, according to Councillor John Chilver, the cabinet member for accessible housing and resources.

CPOs are used to support public interest projects often as a last resort.

Woodlands is a 495-acre site between the A41 Aston Clinton Road and the Grand Union Canal set for 1,100 new homes.

Stantec was given permission to build the houses and a new commercial space on the site in 2022.

The council said: “The development will include a mixed-use local centre with shops, restaurants etc. of 4,000 square metres of sports and leisure facilities, as well as a hotel and a new primary school.

“A new strategic link road will be constructed providing excellent connectivity with the Eastern Link Road to the north at Kingsbrook and the A41 Aston Clinton Road transport infrastructure and Hampton Fields to the south forming a much-needed transport link.”

Buckinghamshire Advantage Ltd, a company owned by the council, has been negotiating with landowners and those with an interest in the Woodlands site since 2014.

Recently, the council stepped in to assist with negotiations and to help secure the land required to deliver the Eastern Link Road South and Woodlands.

Bucks Council gains legal powers for 1,100 home Aylesbury development and new link road

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