The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full wording and reasoning behind Policy DS.1 on environmental mitigation and compensation. Compensation is only supported where avoidance and mitigation are not achievable and where measures are deliverable, secured and managed long term. Off-site measures should align with local priorities such as the Warwickshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The policy extends the national mitigation hierarchy beyond biodiversity to other natural assets and ecosystem services, and it does not override statutory tests on heritage, flood risk or biodiversity.
Flooding & water
Flood risk, drainage, SuDS, river and groundwater quality, and water efficiency.
58 sections of the plan, in document order.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out Objective 2, on climate change. It supports the move to a net zero carbon Buckinghamshire by 2050, directing growth to the most sustainable locations and designing development to cope with flooding and climate extremes. Transport causes 51% of the county's emissions. Areas at higher flood risk include parts of South Bucks, the Thames near Wycombe, east of Aylesbury and around Buckingham. Development is steered first to sites with the lowest flood risk.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the presumption in favour of sustainable development. National law and the National Planning Policy Framework require plans to apply this presumption, meaning the Council will look to approve proposals that accord with the development plan and contribute to economic, social and environmental objectives. Adverse impacts should be avoided, mitigated or outweighed by benefits. Whether development is sustainable is judged against the Plan as a whole, including the detailed development management policies in Chapter 7.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the purpose of the infrastructure policy: making sure new development is backed by coordinated, resilient transport, telecoms, utilities and waste facilities. It sets out how the policy will work in practice through the detailed rules in Chapter 7, which cover things like transport requirements, parking, public rights of way, water and telecoms infrastructure, plus wider policies on design, biodiversity, flooding and drainage.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy aims to make sure transport, telecoms, utilities and waste infrastructure is delivered to support planned growth. Priorities include a transport network that puts walking, cycling and public transport first, gigabit-capable broadband, water and energy networks, and waste facilities that support a circular economy. Developments must show there is enough infrastructure capacity, be phased so infrastructure arrives alongside or before homes, and avoid unacceptable knock-on effects. Land needed for strategic routes and networks will be protected from other development.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the purpose of the natural environment policy: conserving and enhancing Buckinghamshire's biodiversity, landscapes, water and green spaces while strengthening resilience to climate change. It sets out how delivery will run through the detailed Chapter 7 policies on matters such as water quality, biodiversity gain, green infrastructure, trees, protected sites, Green Belt, landscape character, flood risk and drainage.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets out how the Council will protect and improve the natural environment and respond to climate change. It commits to conserving the Chilterns National Landscape, delivering at least 10% biodiversity net gain on qualifying developments, and supporting nature recovery through the local strategy. It also covers protecting water quality, aiming for good status in rivers and groundwater by 2027, directing growth to places that reduce car travel, using sustainable drainage, adopting higher water efficiency standards, and supporting renewable energy.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the purpose of the placemaking policy: securing high-quality, sustainable development that responds to Buckinghamshire's character, heritage and landscape. It describes how delivery will work through the detailed Chapter 7 policies on design, residential amenity and space standards, together with wider rules on heritage, community facilities, transport, biodiversity, landscape and flooding, so new places are attractive, healthy, well connected and resilient.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the purpose of the heritage policy: conserving and enhancing Buckinghamshire's historic environment as an irreplaceable resource that supports local character and identity. It sets out how delivery will run through the detailed Chapter 7 policies on conservation areas, heritage assets and design, alongside wider rules on amenity, transport, biodiversity, landscape and flooding, so historic buildings and places are protected as part of sustainable growth.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers a 529.7-hectare site north of Aylesbury for around 9,080 homes, with 3,650 delivered in the plan period, plus 15 Gypsy and Traveller pitches and 3,500 sqm of town centre uses. It requires four primary schools, a secondary school, healthcare facilities and the Northeast Aylesbury Link Road connecting the A413 and A418. Development must avoid the highest flood risk areas near the River Thame, keep green gaps to prevent merging with Bierton, and follow a site-wide masterplan and phasing strategy.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy directs development to areas of lowest flood risk and requires that it does not increase flood risk elsewhere, allowing for climate change over the development's lifetime. Proposals must take a sequential approach to choosing and laying out sites, considering flooding from rivers, surface water, groundwater and sewers, informed by the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. Flood management must be built in from the earliest design stages, and a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment is required, with hydraulic modelling where existing flood information is inadequate.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section gives the full flood risk policy and its reasoning. On sites at risk, buildings must sit in the safest areas, safe access must be shown, and floor levels must be at least 600mm above the 1% annual probability flood level plus climate change allowance. All development needs a drainage strategy, an undeveloped buffer of at least 8 metres along watercourses, and space for water through green and blue infrastructure. South Warwickshire has a history of flooding from multiple sources, and climate change is expected to make floods more frequent and severe.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy aims to reduce flood risk from new development. South Warwickshire has a history of flooding from many sources, and climate change is expected to make floods more frequent and severe. Recent canal failures elsewhere have also highlighted a residual risk of flooding from canals, which should be considered in Flood Risk Assessments where relevant. Flood risk should be avoided where possible and managed effectively where development is needed, using nature-based solutions and green and blue infrastructure. Assessments should follow the latest strategic evidence and advice from the Lead Local Flood Authority.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out water efficiency rules for new development. South Warwickshire is classed as an area of serious water stress, so new homes must be designed to use no more than 100 litres of water per person per day. Homes with gardens must have a water butt of at least 200 litres. Non-residential buildings over 1,000 square metres must meet the BREEAM Excellent water standard and assess options for reusing rainwater or greywater. Extensions, changes of use and farm irrigation reservoirs are also covered.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires developers to show that enough water supply and sewerage capacity exists, or will be provided, before new development is occupied. Applicants must consult the water company, keep surface water and foul drainage separate, and avoid harming water quality in rivers or groundwater. Major schemes need an Outline Foul Drainage Strategy showing connections, upgrades and phasing. Development near sewage works must assess odour, noise and similar impacts. New or upgraded water infrastructure will be supported where its impacts are acceptable.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains how the water and wastewater policy will work in practice. Severn Trent Water is the water and sewerage company for South Warwickshire, and developers are urged to engage with it early because a right to connect does not guarantee that capacity exists. Any needed upgrades will be secured through planning conditions or legal agreements. Connecting surface water to foul sewers is unacceptable unless approved and no other viable option exists. A possible law change would remove the automatic right to connect surface water to public sewers.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires high-quality sustainable drainage systems, known as SuDS, across whole development sites to manage rainwater and cut flood risk. A drainage strategy must show that runoff is handled close to where it falls, that properties would not flood in a storm with a 1% chance of occurring in any year, allowing for climate change, and that flood risk is not increased on site or elsewhere. Blue-green corridors should be kept and improved, and brownfield sites should disconnect from combined sewers wherever feasible.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section adds detail on how sustainable drainage systems should be designed. SuDS must be planned as an integral part of the site layout, favouring above-ground and dispersed features rather than reliance on one large storage feature. They should deliver several benefits at once: reducing flood risk, cleaning water through a four-stage treatment train, boosting wildlife, providing attractive amenity space and helping to cool urban areas. Drainage features should also become part of the wider ecological network.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers around 92.8 hectares at South Aylesbury for approximately 1,350 homes and 5 Gypsy and Traveller pitches, made up of five land parcels planned together. It requires a 2FE primary school, a local centre, a community building with a possible police touchdown facility, and 50% green infrastructure. Land is safeguarded for the Aylesbury Southeast Link Road, now under construction, with financial contributions towards it. Detailed flood modelling is required, including measures to help protect Stoke Mandeville Hospital from surface water flooding.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the green and blue infrastructure policy and sets measurable standards. Major developments must provide a green and blue infrastructure strategy. Commercial schemes must achieve an Urban Greening Factor score of at least 0.3 and residential schemes at least 0.4. Tree canopy must cover at least 14% of commercial sites and 20% of residential sites, or improve on existing cover if that is greater. These networks support wildlife, manage flood risk, store carbon and provide accessible space for recreation.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers a 113-hectare site at south-west Aylesbury for 1,400 homes and 5 Gypsy and Traveller pitches, with a 2FE primary school, on-site health and community facilities, a linear park and sports pitches. It requires a Southwest Link Road connecting the Stoke Mandeville relief road to the A418 Oxford Road, plus strategic flood defences and drainage. Outline permission was granted in May 2026, with construction expected from 2028, delivering fifty homes initially then 140 per year. A buffer is needed against noise from HS2.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers three parcels totalling around 242.6 hectares north of the A41 at Aylesbury, including Aylesbury Woodlands. It provides approximately 1,700 homes plus sixty extra care units, around 102,800 sqm of employment floorspace including the Aylesbury Woodlands Enterprise Zone, a 4,000 sqm local centre, a two-form entry primary school, a 6,000 sqm hotel and conference facility and a 16-hectare sports village. Primary access must come from the Eastern Link Road, at least 50% of the site must be green infrastructure, and employment land is safeguarded from other uses.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers around 225.5 hectares south of the A41 at Aylesbury, mainly Hampden Fields, for approximately 3,000 homes plus a sixty-bed care home or extra care facility. It includes about 6.90 hectares of employment land, two primary schools with pre-schools, a local centre, a health facility and 108.34 hectares of green infrastructure. A dualled Southern Link Road between the A413 and A41 is required, along with town-wide flood defences. Outline permission has been granted and work has started, with careful phasing needed across the merged sites.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation describes Kingsbrook, a 306.6-hectare urban extension east of Aylesbury delivering 2,460 homes, 10 hectares of employment land, two primary schools, land for a secondary school, a neighbourhood centre and a major wetland park. Outline permission was granted in 2013 and the site is built as three villages. As of March 2025, 1,922 homes were complete with 538 remaining, and the Eastern Link Road and Stocklake Link have been finished. The whole development is expected to be complete by 2028.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers around seventy-nine hectares north of Martin Dalby Way on the edge of Aylesbury for an assumed 3,150 homes. It requires a local centre, a 3FE primary school, a community hall, healthcare provision and at least 50% multi-functional green infrastructure, plus a new linear park active travel route. Development must protect the Quarrendon Scheduled Monument immediately to the south, including its grazing regime, and be landscape-led given the site's open, elevated position. Flood modelling of Hardwick Brook and Weedon Ditch is required.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports redeveloping the Easton Street multi-storey car park in High Wycombe for an assumed 160 homes with around 660 square metres of shops or other commercial uses at ground level. The 0.33 hectare site is next to the railway station, so a high-density scheme with fewer parking spaces is expected. The existing parking has been shown to be surplus and does not need replacing. Flood risk is a major constraint, so bedrooms and living spaces should be on the first floor or above.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers the Council Offices site on Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, for a mixed development of 500 square metres of offices, retail and healthcare plus an assumed 150 homes for NHS key workers. The 1.04 hectare site is in NHS ownership beside the River Wye. Because of high flood risk, housing is not allowed in the most flood-prone areas, and developers must produce detailed flood modelling approved by the Environment Agency before applying.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation proposes an assumed 270 homes and around 1,125 square metres of town centre retail on the former Office Outlet site in High Wycombe. The 0.45 hectare brownfield site is close to the railway station, so a high-density, landmark scheme with fewer car parking spaces is expected. Housing must avoid the highest flood risk zones, and developers must carry out detailed surface water modelling and follow the Council's flood risk guidance for the site.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation sets out a mixed redevelopment of the Chilterns Shopping Centre at Frogmoor, High Wycombe, with an assumed 300 homes above flexible shops and commercial space at ground level. Flooding is the main constraint: 91% of the 1.06 hectare site is in the highest risk flood zone, so off-site flood storage would be needed and no building is allowed in those areas. The site is in a conservation area, and Grade II listed buildings must be kept and enhanced.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports an assumed 305 homes on 7.57 hectares of land north of Newton Longville, on the southern edge of Milton Keynes. The development must fund a new bus route into Milton Keynes and a 3 metre wide shared path for walking and cycling between the two settlements. Housing must be steered away from the higher flood risk zones, and the scheme must not prejudice the delivery of East West Rail, as part of the land is safeguarded for the railway.