Bucks Goat Centre and Layby Farm, Stoke Mandeville

STM02: Bucks Goat Centre and Layby Farm, Stoke Mandeville The Bucks Goat Centre and Layby Farm site, as shown on the Policies Map, is allocated for approximately one hectare of employment land (Use Class E(g)). Development proposals will be supported where they: a) Deliver approximately one hectare of employment land development within Use Class E(g), supporting offices, light industrial and research and development uses that contribute to the local economy. b) Support the continued operation of the Bucks Goat Centre as an established visitor attraction where this is compatible with the wider redevelopment of the site or clearly accommodate its reconfiguration or relocation where this would enable a more comprehensive and sustainable form of development. c) Support the retention or appropriate reprovision of land currently occupied by educational uses, including associated buildings and parking, where this contributes to the overall sustainability and functionality of the site. d) Provide a high-quality employment environment, incorporating appropriate servicing, access and layout to support light industrial and business uses. e) A statement should be provided to demonstrate how the proposal supports the objectives of the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan, including contributing to a diverse and resilient economy and supporting local business growth. f) Ensure that development is brought forward in a coordinated and comprehensive manner, informed by a site-wide masterplan that addresses land uses, having regard to site constraints, access arrangements, layout and the integration of existing and proposed uses relationship with surrounding land uses. g) Respond sensitively to the character of the surrounding area, including ensuring building heights and massing are appropriate in relation to neighbouring properties, including nearby residential bungalows, and incorporating high-quality materials such as timber cladding and red brick to reflect local character. h) Ensure a carefully considered layout of any associated parking. i) Retain the mature trees, hedgerows and landscaping along the boundaries of the area, along with appropriate buffers, reinforced as part of any associated landscaping scheme which would be required. j) Provide a financial contribution to the Southeast Aylesbury Link Road project. 6.514 The Bucks Goat Centre and Layby Farm site is located to the south-west of Aylesbury, adjacent to the Stoke Mandeville Relief Road. Extending to approximately one hectare, the site comprises a mix of previously developed land associated with the existing farm, visitor attraction and commercial units, alongside a children’s nursery. The surrounding area includes residential development, agricultural land and scattered rural uses, placing the site in a transitional location between the built-up area and open countryside. 6.515 This allocation provides an opportunity to intensify and enhance the site’s employment function through the delivery of approximately one hectare of modern, flexible employment development within Use Class E(g), supporting local business growth and contributing to the objectives of the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan. The policy allows for the continued operation, reconfiguration or relocation of the Bucks Goat Centre and existing educational use where this supports a comprehensive, viable and sustainable form of redevelopment. 6.516 A coordinated, master planned approach will be required to ensure the effective integration of existing and proposed uses, alongside improvements to access, servicing and supporting infrastructure, including utilities and sustainable transport measures. Development will also contribute to wider infrastructure delivery, including the Southeast Aylesbury Link Road. 6.517 Given the site’s relationship with nearby residential properties and its edge-of-settlement location, proposals must be carefully designed to respond to local character. This includes appropriate building scale and massing, the use of materials that reflect the surrounding area, and a high-quality layout that incorporates well-considered parking and servicing. The retention and enhancement of mature trees, hedgerows and boundary landscaping will be important in providing visual containment, ecological benefits and a sensitive transition to the surrounding area.