When constructed, the SEALR will comprise a 1.2km stretch of dual carriageway, comprising part of the orbital route around Aylesbury town. It has been a longstanding ambition of Buckinghamshire Council (and its predecessor authority, Aylesbury Vale District Council) to deliver the SEALR, as part of a wider proposal to alleviate congestion in Aylesbury, and facilitate travel through the County. The project is also necessary to help address the impacts which the construction of HS2 will have on the surrounding highways network. Delivery of SEALR will now enable the delivery of substantial new housing allocations in the area.
The SEALR project is complex insofar as it requires not only terminal roundabouts at either end of the new carriageway, but also the construction of a bridge over the London Marylebone – Aylesbury Rail Line. Objectors to the CPO included Network Rail, in addition to developers such as Taylor Wimpey, Cala Management Ltd, together with landowners. Objections to the CPO, together with objections to the Section 19 Certification Application, were considered at a two week public inquiry in November 2021.
The decision of the Secretaries of State respectively to confirm the CPO and certify the provision of replacement open space, mean that the outstanding land interests can now be acquired by compulsory purchase, and construction of the project begin.
Alexander Booth QC, instructed by Sharpe Pritchard, promoted the CPO on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council.