Aylesbury redevelopment

FAQs

How many homes were on the Aylesbury estate before the regeneration project began and how many will be on the estate when it completes?

Originally, there were 2,758 homes on the estate. There will be more than 4,200 new homes in the redevelopment area, as well as new community facilities, when the regeneration is complete.

How many people were living on the Aylesbury estate before the regeneration project began; and how many people will be able to live in the area when it completes?

Originally, about 7,500 people lived on the estate. We estimate that roughly 10,500 people will be able to live in the completed development  

What was the breakdown of housing tenure before the regeneration project began and what will it be when it completes?

The tenure was 82 per cent  council housing and 18 per cent private before the project began.

When complete, it will be 50 per cent private and 50 per cent affordable. 75 per cent of the affordable housing will be social rent or council housing and 25 per cent shared ownership.

Why did you decide to demolish and rebuild the homes rather than just refurbishing them?

The council carried out a cost and benefit analysis in 2005. We found that the option to refurbish the existing buildings would be costly but of limited benefit, as it wouldn’t resolve some of the key design problems with the estate buildings and layout. Therefore, redeveloping the whole estate was considered the best option; one which presents long-term benefits for residents and the local area.

Who is paying for the redevelopment and will the council profit from the process or lose money?

The costs are to be balanced with the long term benefits and the improvements to the neighbourhood for local people. The mixed-tenure housing is intended to cross-subsidise the development, with the sale of private homes paying for the delivery of the rented homes as well as the new community, energy and public infrastructure. The council is a branch of local government - not a business seeking to make profit.

Is the council allowing the estate to become rundown, rather than maintaining and repairing the buildings and peoples homes, to encourage residents to move out, sell-up and/or support the redevelopment work?

The existing buildings, which are now 50 years old, were built to a much lower standard than buildings are built today. The existing buildings have now reached the end of their service life and are very difficult to maintain.

However, the council has a duty of care to all its residents and, as long as people are still living in the buildings, the council will continue to repair and adapt the buildings to ensure that they are at least warm, dry and safe to live in.

Page last updated: 12 February 2024