Fairford Leys
Encyclopedia
Fairford Leys is a new high density housing estate of 1,900 homes west of Aylesbury
in Buckinghamshire
, England
. It has its own village centre with a number of traditionally fronted shops, a small supermarket, two restaurants, a nursery
, an ecumenical church and a community centre. It also has a Health Club with swimming pool
which was opened in October 2003. The civil parish for Fairford Leys is Coldharbour which is in Aylesbury Vale
district.
The intention in planning the estate was to create an environment similar to that of a village, with architecture
inspired by traditional Aylesbury
housing styles and pastiche Victorian
lamp posts and railings. The centre of the village is surrounded by the "city wall", a concept originating from the masterplanner John Simpson
and inspired by mediaeval city walls, such as York. This consists of three and four storey townhouses and the main entrance to the centre is marked by two towers, loosely modelled on mediaeval gate tower
s.
The centre contains a higher density of housing, with larger detached properties at the edge of the village. The design includes plenty of play areas, open spaces, playing fields and a golf course
.
The development is planned around a masterplan and design code
which were drawn up by John Simpson & Partners Architects, to maintain the general appearance of the development. The design codes are enforced by the landowner through private covenants with individual householders, and contain restrictions on alterations to properties. Although these are time limited in part. Fairford Leys is one of the first two developments in the UK to be planned around a design code, the other being Poundbury
in Dorchester.
The estate is built on land previously owned by the Ernest Cook Trust
— a nationally operated, charitable foundation with interests in land ownership, conservation
, architecture, design and community development. To ensure that these concerns are reflected in the achievement of Fairford Leys, the Trust has worked with Aylesbury Vale
District Council for over 14 years — largely through its masterplanner, the well-known architect John Simpson — and with the builder
s Taylor Woodrow
, Bellway
and George Wimpey
Homes. Although Aylesbury Vale District Council ultimately granted planning permission for the development, they took a "back seat" role in the design and planning of the village; the driving force behind which is the Ernest Cook Trust.
Fairford Leys contains housing from single-bedroom starter homes to five-bedroom detached properties, which has ensured that its population is representative of multiple life stages, from young singles, through young and growing families, to the retired and the elderly. The hope that people would want to stay in Fairford Leys, moving house within the village as their family needs change, is already being realised in some cases.
Some residents work locally, while many others commute, and some of those that are around during the day have found time to develop such initiatives as the Mother and Toddler Group and the Friendship Club, which may play a significant role in helping to build a good sense of community.
Fairford Leys has its own parish council (Coldharbour Parish), primary school, GPs'
practice and neighbouring pharmacy
, veterinary practice, Women's Institute, ecumenical church
, and a community centre
(known as the Fairford Leys Centre), which hosts a wide variety of events and activities, including dance classes, badminton, karate, children's parties, wedding receptions, corporate functions and council meetings.
St Mary's Church of England School is a mixed, voluntary controlled, primary school, which has about 320 pupils from the ages of four to 11. It was purpose built for the Fairford Leys village but the education authority (Bucks County Council) underestimated the number of children that would live within the village. Consequently, a number of children living within Fairford Leys cannot get a place. In 2009, Buckinghamshire County Council
estimate that up to 44 children will not be able to take up a place.
The village centre was officially opened in November 2004.
Fairford Leys is served by a popular and frequent bus service, the Silver Rider. It commenced in 2004 and runs directly to Aylesbury town centre
in around 15 minutes, designed to run at times to suit commuter travel from Aylesbury Station to London
.
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It has its own village centre with a number of traditionally fronted shops, a small supermarket, two restaurants, a nursery
Nursery school
A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare...
, an ecumenical church and a community centre. It also has a Health Club with swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
which was opened in October 2003. The civil parish for Fairford Leys is Coldharbour which is in Aylesbury Vale
Aylesbury Vale
The Aylesbury Vale is a large area of flat land mostly in Buckinghamshire, England. Its boundary is marked by Milton Keynes to the north, Leighton Buzzard and the Chiltern Hills to the east and south, Thame to the south and Bicester and Brackley to the west.The vale is named after Aylesbury, the...
district.
The intention in planning the estate was to create an environment similar to that of a village, with architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
inspired by traditional Aylesbury
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
housing styles and pastiche Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
lamp posts and railings. The centre of the village is surrounded by the "city wall", a concept originating from the masterplanner John Simpson
John Simpson (architect)
John Simpson CVO BSC ARCH DIP RIBA is a British architect.Simpson studied architecture at University College London. He is principal of practice at John Simpsons and Partners. Chartered Architects and Urban Designers, London...
and inspired by mediaeval city walls, such as York. This consists of three and four storey townhouses and the main entrance to the centre is marked by two towers, loosely modelled on mediaeval gate tower
Gate tower
A gate tower is a tower built over or next to a major gateway.Usually it is part of a medieval fortification. This may be a town or city wall, a fortress or a castle. The gate tower may be built as a twin tower on either side of an entranceway. Even in the design of modern building complexes, gate...
s.
The centre contains a higher density of housing, with larger detached properties at the edge of the village. The design includes plenty of play areas, open spaces, playing fields and a golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
.
The development is planned around a masterplan and design code
Design code
A design code is a document that sets rules for the design of a new development. It is a tool that can be used in the design and planning process, but goes further and is more regulatory than other forms of guidance commonly used in the English planning system over recent decades...
which were drawn up by John Simpson & Partners Architects, to maintain the general appearance of the development. The design codes are enforced by the landowner through private covenants with individual householders, and contain restrictions on alterations to properties. Although these are time limited in part. Fairford Leys is one of the first two developments in the UK to be planned around a design code, the other being Poundbury
Poundbury
Poundbury is an experimental new town or urban extension on the outskirts of Dorchester in the county of Dorset, England.The development is built on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. It is built according to the principles of Prince Charles...
in Dorchester.
The estate is built on land previously owned by the Ernest Cook Trust
Ernest Cook Trust
The Ernest Cook Trust is a large educational charity in England. It was founded in 1952 by the philanthropist Ernest Cook, the grandson of Thomas Cook...
— a nationally operated, charitable foundation with interests in land ownership, conservation
Conservation ethic
Conservation is an ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection. Its primary focus is upon maintaining the health of the natural world: its, fisheries, habitats, and biological diversity. Secondary focus is on materials conservation and energy conservation, which are seen as important to...
, architecture, design and community development. To ensure that these concerns are reflected in the achievement of Fairford Leys, the Trust has worked with Aylesbury Vale
Aylesbury Vale
The Aylesbury Vale is a large area of flat land mostly in Buckinghamshire, England. Its boundary is marked by Milton Keynes to the north, Leighton Buzzard and the Chiltern Hills to the east and south, Thame to the south and Bicester and Brackley to the west.The vale is named after Aylesbury, the...
District Council for over 14 years — largely through its masterplanner, the well-known architect John Simpson — and with the builder
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
s Taylor Woodrow
Taylor Woodrow
Taylor Woodrow was one of the largest British housebuilding and general construction companies. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but merged with rival George Wimpey to create Taylor Wimpey on 3 July 2007.-Early years:Frank Taylor was...
, Bellway
Bellway
Bellway plc is a major British residential property developer based in Newcastle upon Tyne. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.- History :...
and George Wimpey
George Wimpey
George Wimpey was formed in 1880 and, based in Hammersmith, operated largely as a road surfacing contractor. The business was acquired by Godfrey Mitchell in 1919 and he developed it into the UK’s pre-eminent construction and housebuilding firm. In 2007, Wimpey merged with Taylor Woodrow to create...
Homes. Although Aylesbury Vale District Council ultimately granted planning permission for the development, they took a "back seat" role in the design and planning of the village; the driving force behind which is the Ernest Cook Trust.
Fairford Leys contains housing from single-bedroom starter homes to five-bedroom detached properties, which has ensured that its population is representative of multiple life stages, from young singles, through young and growing families, to the retired and the elderly. The hope that people would want to stay in Fairford Leys, moving house within the village as their family needs change, is already being realised in some cases.
Fairford Leys has its own parish council (Coldharbour Parish), primary school, GPs'
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
practice and neighbouring pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
, veterinary practice, Women's Institute, ecumenical church
Local ecumenical partnership
In England and Wales, a local ecumenical partnership is a partnership between churches of different denominations. First piloted in 1964, over 850 now exist to promote unity between different Christian denominations....
, and a community centre
Community centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
(known as the Fairford Leys Centre), which hosts a wide variety of events and activities, including dance classes, badminton, karate, children's parties, wedding receptions, corporate functions and council meetings.
St Mary's Church of England School is a mixed, voluntary controlled, primary school, which has about 320 pupils from the ages of four to 11. It was purpose built for the Fairford Leys village but the education authority (Bucks County Council) underestimated the number of children that would live within the village. Consequently, a number of children living within Fairford Leys cannot get a place. In 2009, Buckinghamshire County Council
Buckinghamshire County Council
Buckinghamshire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Buckinghamshire, in England, the United Kingdom. Its area of control does not include Milton Keynes, which is a unitary authority...
estimate that up to 44 children will not be able to take up a place.
The village centre was officially opened in November 2004.
Fairford Leys is served by a popular and frequent bus service, the Silver Rider. It commenced in 2004 and runs directly to Aylesbury town centre
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
in around 15 minutes, designed to run at times to suit commuter travel from Aylesbury Station to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.