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A Rothschild Village in the Vale of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, U.K.

• The existing Conservation Areas in Wingrave were designated in 1980 by AVDC. Two separate areas were defined: one included the Parish Church, the Recreation Ground, Mill Lane and the Manor House, the other was around Nup End Lane. Both comprised the older “core” areas of Wingrave.
• Since 1980 a number of changes have taken place in the village, the most important being re-developments at Parsonage, Manor, Straws Hadley and Mitchell Leys Farms. Meanwhile existing developments near the Conservation Areas have matured, with many more trees and building groups now being important to the environment of this compact hill village. Some important open spaces adjoining the areas were omitted, which now seems illogical. In addition, the importance of the street scene, where both sides of the street contribute to the environment, should be taken into account.

Figure 10: Wirescape in Dark Lane

• It is considered desirable to extend the current areas to include these parts of the village. The extent of a suggested new Area is shown on the Plan (Reference Map). The approaches to the village are of great importance to its character and the new area is therefore extended to include the whole of Leighton Road with its variety of old and new buildings and the important line of mature trees on its south side. Also included are the open fields between Castle Street and Church Street, and to the south of Moat Lane. These are important for outward views from the village and need to be protected from development.

• The extended Conservation Area would not preclude new development or buildings within its boundaries. The current Areas have seen acceptable and sympathetic development since 1980. If, after review, an extended Conservation Area is accepted, AVDC should give more rigorous consideration of any future development proposals in a much larger area than at present.

• Whereas electricity and telephone services to recent developments in the village are underground, the environmentally most sensitive Conservation Areas have a multitude of overhead wires – Figure 10. There is currently no co-ordination between AVDC, who designated the CAs, and Bucks CC on whose land most of the poles are located.

Figure 11: The Wingrave Village Pond

• The duck pond, one of the most favoured spots in the village, was planted with reeds and other aquatic vegetation a few years ago that is now threatening to engulf the entire pond (Figure 11).
• Trees within Conservation Areas are automatically protected but some of the most important trees in the village, notably along Leighton Road, are outside these areas.
• Open spaces, too, and outward views from the village are important and should be protected where possible.
• preserve or enhance the environment around as well as within the Conservation Areas and to protect the views into and out of these Areas.
• Distinctive features of listed buildings, and of unlisted buildings in the Conservation Area, may need special protection, for instance the massive chimney stacks of the Rothschild cottages, (Figure 12) and traditional timber casement and sash windows.
• As identified in the 1967 Plan, boundary walls, fences and hedges are important features that maintain the cohesion of the street scene.
• Litter is a sporadic problem around the village. Although a national problem, strategic siteing of well-designed litter-bins, especially at bus stops, would help.