The Growth, Infrastructure & Housing Select Committee of Buckinghamshire Council was scheduled to convene on Tuesday 27 January 2026 to discuss a range of significant local development and heritage matters. Key topics included an update on the progress of the Buckinghamshire Local Plan, the evaluation of capital works at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens, and an assessment of the Buckinghamshire Archives service. Additionally, the committee was set to review the delivery of Aylesbury Housing Infrastructure Funding projects.

Capital Works to Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens

The committee was scheduled to consider capital works undertaken at the Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens. This Grade I listed site, established in the early 20th century as a Garden of Remembrance, has undergone several enhancements in recent years. These include a Phase 1 Garden Extension completed in 2020, a Phase 2 Garden Extension finished in 2023 which introduced accessible pathways and new landscaping, and the creation of a Covid Memorial Garden in 2024, financed through fundraising. The report indicated planned future projects, such as building refurbishment and relining the colonnade, with projected capital spend outlined for 2026/27 and beyond. The report also detailed community engagement initiatives, including the development of a Bereavement Trail and a Tree Trail, and highlighted future ambitions for the gardens' sustainability and income generation.

Update on the Progress of the Buckinghamshire Local Plan

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided on the progress of the Buckinghamshire Local Plan. The report pack indicated that the plan is crucial for addressing mandatory housing targets, with the government's standard method no longer being an advisory starting point. The revised formula necessitates a significant increase in the number of homes required within the local plan period of 2024-2045.

Buckinghamshire Archives

The committee was set to receive an update on the services provided by Buckinghamshire Archives. The report highlighted the archives' statutory role as an approved Place of Deposit for public records and the official Diocesan Record Office for the Anglican Church. The vision for the service is to be integral to Buckinghamshire's cultural life, engaging with diverse communities and promoting its collections. Key service provisions include onsite and online access, digital engagement, conservation, cataloguing, digital preservation, and local studies. The report also detailed wider partnerships and outreach, including award-winning work on the Disability Sports Archive Project with the National Paralympic Heritage Trust and the Lost Victorian Voices LGBTQ+ project. A significant point of discussion was the planned relocation of the archives from Aylesbury to new premises in High Wycombe, which is a condition for maintaining accredited status.

Aylesbury Housing Infrastructure Funding Projects

The committee was scheduled to evaluate the progress of the Aylesbury Housing Infrastructure Funding (HIF) projects. This funding, administered by Homes England, is designed to unlock housing developments by forward-funding critical infrastructure such as roads. The HIF award for Aylesbury totals £172,323,426, with current project costs estimated at £244,493,114. The report detailed the status of various link road projects, including the South-East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) Phase 1 (in construction) and Phase 2 (complete), the Eastern Link Road (ELR) and Woodlands development (in negotiation), and the South West Link Road (SWLR) (in design). The report also outlined the number of homes facilitated by these projects, estimated at over 10,000, and discussed the implications of national planning policy on mandatory housing targets.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to discuss and agree on the items for future meetings as part of its Work Programme.