Image: £25m wooden theatre woos Aylesbury planners

Architect Arts Team has been granted planning permission by Aylesbury Vale District Council for a £25m, five-storey theatre and entertainment centre in Aylesbury.

Suzie Bridges, Arts Team director in charge of the project, said: “This is following on from our successful completion of three major arts projects across the UK in 2006. Arts Team is moving in an exciting new direction, and we are relishing this opportunity to develop innovative design solutions for AVDC.”

Design has been inspired by the Chiltern Hills and surrounding woodland areas. Timber columns and fins will be used on the exterior and the undulating roof. A sculpted slate plinth which rises and falls will be wrapped around the building.

The new theatre will be bigger than the current Aylesbury civic centre and will offer more flexibility for users. The 1200-seat main hall will also be able to accommodate up to 2000 for standing events such as rock and pop concerts. The second space at the venue has been designed for smaller productions, conferences, workshops and community use.

The designs also feature a new pedestrian bridge across Bear Brook and landscaping outside of the theatre.

Work on site could begin this spring.