High Wycombe has been in the news recently for less than positive reasons but there's alot of development happening at the moment and planned in the future. The most important is the new shopping centre/bus centre/library buildings which are under construction (multiplex) under the name of 'Eden' The project is fairly extensive and a big addition to the town, with the demolition of the old (and practically falling apart) bus station, many new shops, a new library, cinema, shops, bowling alley and so on.

Here are some of the renders of 'Eden'

http://www.mywycombe.com/plans/gallery/a_new_heart_town_centre.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/plans/gallery/concept_illustrations.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/plans/gallery/desborough_road_and_lilys_w.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/plans/gallery/m1_oxford_road_perspective.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/plans/gallery/perspective_along_the_north.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/plans/gallery/perspective_from_civic_squa.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/plans/gallery/perspective_along_east_west.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/plans/gallery/m1_the_bus_station_from_bri.jpg

and construction updates:

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow01.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow02.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow03.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow04.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow05.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow06.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow07.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow08.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow09.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow10.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow11.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow12.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow13.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow14.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow15.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow16.jpg

http://www.mywycombe.com/images/homepage/slideshow17.jpg


The bus station has just opened, and offers:

* 18 arrival and departure ports 'Airport style' clean, Airy concourse
* Modern monitors displaying scheduled information
* Public toilets with facilities for the disabled
* Seating
* High level of lighting
* CCTV Cameras

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/get//assets/images/wycombe_bus_station.jpg

In terms of other major projects for the town, here they are listed under the subheadings below:

Transport

* New bus passenger interchange in town centre with depot at Cressex
* Redevelopment of High Wycombe railway station by Chiltern Railways
* Increase in car parking spaces in and around the town centre
* Park and Ride bus service to run between Cressex and the town centre

Culture and Education

* New library and information centre
* New 12 screen cinema
* More public art in open spaces
* New and innovative cafes and family-friendly restaurants throughout the town
* Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College expanding its current campus
* Amersham and Wycombe College planning to relocate into the town centre

Sport and Leisure

* New sports centre
* New running track facility proposed
* New 18-lane ten pin bowling alley in town
* New owners of Wycombe Summit ski slope propose introducing real snow
* Wider choice of bars and restaurants

Retail

# New 675,000 sq ft shopping centre
# New 141,500 sq ft House of Fraser and 104,000 sq ft Marks and Spencer stores
# 54 other retail units including top brand names
# Octagon Centre refurbished
# Convenience shopping and other smaller retail outlets around the town centre hub

And finally an overview of the main projects:

# Town centre extension being developed by the Council and project partners Multiplex to provide a spacious new shopping centre and leisure environment
# Improvements to transport infrastructure and provision of new services and facilities
# Expansion of BCUC campus
# Proposed new development by Sainsbury
# Proposed fire station relocation
# New housing development
# New sports centre and running track
# Transformed ’gateway’ to High Wycombe from the M40

Cool, I was born in High Wycombe. Lived there until I was 8.

:cheers:

My mum was born in Beaconsfield and grew up in Seer Green, which I think is just up the road!

Some pics of the newly opened bus station:

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/_images/db/25/49/bus_for_web.254950.full.gif

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/_images/db/25/92/BUS_Station_for_web.259212.full.gif

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/_images/db/26/34/bus_for_web.263453.full.gif

Render:

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/_images/db/24/42/station_web.244264.full.gif

And the old 70's beast of a bus station due to be demolished...

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7462/highwycombebusstation24thjanuary2006gavinfrancisjq8.jpg

Some new apartments springing up in HW, admittedly not very tall:

http://www.kingsoakhomes.com/dev_images/209_5pict.jpg

http://www.kingsoakhomes.com/dev_images/216_9pict.jpg

http://www.redrow.co.uk/ImageUploadView.aspx?ImageName=1202.jpg&ImageContext=styleimages

http://www.smartnewhomes.com/media/prop/69/1693729_1_47728_30_11_2004.jpg

http://www.smartnewhomes.com/media/prop/55/1815290_1_58110_11_8_2006.jpg

From http://www.wycombe.gov.uk/news.asp?step=4&contentID=452

Artist chosen to make art public in Eden

Successful artist Richard Harris has been chosen to create a unique artwork for the Oxford Road roundabout, at the gateway to Eden, High Wycombe the shopping and leisure destination scheduled to open in spring 2008.

A site specific land artist, with a significant international reputation, Richard was selected by the Eden Public Art Steering Group from a short-list of three equally well respected artists who each proposed very different works of art. The competition was advertised nationally ensuring this opportunity created a strong interest nationwide.

Samantha Wilkinson from Insite Art, Multiplex and Wycombe District Council's public art consultants, commented: "Almost 50 expressions of interest were received for this exciting commission - a very high response. It is the interesting location of this shopping and leisure development in the valley surrounded by beautiful rural landscape that appealed so much to artists."

Richard Harris's proposal is based on the undulating landscape of the valleys and the Chiltern Hills around High Wycombe. It will depict different view points depending on which direction traffic approaches the roundabout from. A peaceful haven on a busy traffic island, this work will complement the surrounding architecture while responding to the natural environment.

A technical design team, from developers Multiplex, has been brought together to work alongside Richard in the detailed design stage that will now take place. The artwork will be developed technically and further work will be undertaken in relation to the wider landscaping of the traffic island.

Councillor Lesley Clarke, Leader of Wycombe District Council, commented: "This commission is highly appropriate for the town centre redevelopment as it makes very pleasing links between the town and the surrounding hills. It reminds us that the town and rural communities work hand in hand with each other to make Wycombe district so unique."

Alan Peach, Retail Development Director from Multiplex, added: "We were very impressed with the high standard of submissions which made the judging process difficult. The Eden public art strategy will enhance the shopping experience and create a memorable sense of place in the heart of High Wycombe."

Richard Harris who has worked in Europe, Japan and Australia has received praise for his work including a major permanent work completed at Manchester Airport and on London's South Bank.


And some pics of the new bus station before it opened:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6842/wycnewbusstation1040806mczc6.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3084/wycnewbusstation2040806mcvt8.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/443/highwycombebusstation1staugust2006gavinfrancises4.jpg