Music in the Square 2026 - Saturday 5th September

We are pleased to share more details on this year's Music in the Square. After last year’s successful event we are back with some great new and returning acts.

Our headliner Camino returns with a crowd pleasing party set. Camino will be supported by Lucky Number making their debut with a set full of rock, punk and indie classics. Iridescence will also be joining us for the first time, playing classic rock anthems. Music all kicks off from 5pm with a DJ set, all in Hampden Square on Saturday 5th September.

As always expect a great value community run Bar and BBQ to be running for the evening. Many of our local businesses will be getting involved too, so expect event special offers and extended opening hours.

This free to attend event is organised and run by Coldharbour Parish Council for the residents of Fairford Leys, their family and friends. It would not be possible without the support of our many sponsors.

Annual Report of the Council 2025

At April’s Parish Council meeting, Cllr Sarah James delivered the Annual Report of the Council following her first year as Chair. The report makes note of the Council’s work between April 2025 and April 2026.

Fairford Leys at 20 : Pioneering Placemaking

The Ernest Cook Trust, a charity and the original landowner and development lead for Fairford Leys looks back at the origins of Fairford Leys and how the community continues to inspire new development principles across the country.

As the Government today plans more new communities across the country to meet the target of building 1.5 million homes by the next election, Fairford Leys, on the outskirts of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, demonstrates how good placemaking stands the test of time.

The development, on Trust-owned land, provided a significant injection of funds into the charity. The Ernest Cook Trust works to give children and young people a deeper connection with the natural world, farming and the countryside, through the provision of outdoor learning experiences and improving access to nature.

John Simpson Architects - Concept

Work began in the 1990s on the new community of almost 2,000 homes on land on the Hartwell Estate, bought in 1938 by philanthropist and founder of the charity, Ernest Cook.  He was a passionate supporter of rural communities and worked to bring together people and land, helping both to thrive.

After an official launch in November 2004 the new community began to welcome residents and businesses in 2005. Renowned architects John Simpson and Partners drew up the master plan with the objective of fostering a spirit of local community.

John Simpson Architects - Concept Painting by Ed Venn

Alongside the homes, the result was everything needed for daily life: a market square, shops, cafes, a pub, office and employment spaces, a new church, community centre, primary school, health and fitness centre, veterinary practice, medical centre, pharmacy and a nursery school.

Fairford Leys pioneered the use of a design code - a set of guidelines to regulate the appearance and quality of the buildings. The design principles established at the outset are still in force today and continue to guide property owners considering alterations and extensions so that they meet the original design standards set.

Design code

The architecture at Fairford Leys includes features for wildlife and reflects traditional Aylesbury building styles. The centre of the village is partially enclosed by three-and four-storey town houses while the main entrance is marked by two towers that resemble medieval gate towers.

The Ernest Cook Trust’s Director of Land, Property and Commercial Development, Michael Birnie, said developing Fairford Leys was a key milestone in the Trust’s 80-year-history as both an owner and manager of land and a provider of outdoor education.

“Fairford Leys was held up as an example of how to place make and it is used as a reference point even now,” Michael said. “It enabled the Trust to make investments which generated more income so the Trust could deliver more education.

“We have found, over decades of experience, that thoughtful land and property management, with communities front of mind, can help people and land collectively thrive.”

Property and development specialists Knight Frank used the community as an example of positive placemaking in its 2020 report for the Government “Building in Beauty.” Their report found that residents of Fairford Leys were now moving up or down the housing ladder into larger or smaller properties to suit their circumstances, allowing them to stay within the community.

Space for wildlife and nature

In a separate report to assess the cost and value of building high quality developments, Knight Frank analysed Fairford Leys and found that, far from eroding profits as the housebuilders had initially feared, value premiums on homes in the community were around 15% higher.

The Trust’s former Chair of Trustees, Andrew Christie-Miller, admitted that developing Fairford Leys was “hugely controversial” at the time but is now recognised as an example of high-quality place-making.

“The trustees took the decision to develop the land but to do so in the most sympathetic way. It wouldn’t necessarily get us the very best price but would ensure a very sympathetic development that was very much in line with our philosophy. 

“There were a lot of objectors…It was difficult. We chose much the best option which was to do a very high calibre development which was achieved and been recognised by many sources with a master plan which was well thought through.”

Keith Gray, the Clerk of Coldharbour Parish Council which covers the Fairford Leys community, said the design principles set by the Ernest Cook Trust and architect John Simpson had set the standard for a high-quality community – but maintaining those standards fell to the parish council.

“The parish council bought into the whole masterplan and design principles from the outset, and we have made it our mission to protect that master plan and stop any changes being made that would damage it – that policy has worked,” he said.

“It is a really lovely place to live, it has got everything anybody needs, and because it was so well designed from the outset people are happy to keep it the way it was always intended to be.”

Keith added that it his son grew up in Fairford Leys and has now bought his own home there.

Mr Gray said other developers planning new communities under the Government’s plans to boost housebuilding could learn lessons from Fairford Leys. “We are always ready to advise on the right way to create communities,” he said. “We think we got it right.”

Further reading

John Simpson Architects - Masterplan and Design Code for Fairford Leys

Ernest Cook Trust

Coldharbour Parish Council announces exciting new main Play Park opening in 2026 (Progress Updated)

Progress update - late July 2026 - We are aware of the delay in completing the new Swallow Lane Play Park and we are also frustrated and let down that the play park has been out of action for so long. We are pushing our contractor to finish the work as soon as possible after encountering numerous delays. We are now waiting on the all weather surfacing to be laid and then the final health and safety checks of the play equipment.

In the meantime we would like to ask residents to make sure their children are not entering the fenced off area as this is classed as a construction site and is not safe.

Do remember we do have six other play parks across Fairford Leys which are open, along with lots of recreational space, all to enjoy within a short walk of this park.

Thank you for your patience and understanding and we do hope to have this park open again soon.

Coldharbour Parish Council is thrilled to announce that the main play park near Swallow Lane will soon undergo a complete transformation. The existing park will be replaced with a new modern jungle-themed play park, designed to provide fun and adventure for children aged 18 months to 14 years.

The new play park will feature:

• All-weather surface area for year-round play

• Two play towers – one for younger children and one for older children

• Adventure trail to promote balance, climbing, and agility skills

• Swing set - a toddler, junior and team swing, suitable for all children

• Sensory activities to ensure accessibility for all

• Seating and integrated coat hooks for parents and carers to make everyone’s life a little easier.

View fullsize

Overall scheme, click to enlarge (All images are artists concepts, final park may vary slightly)

The jungle theme will include stunning palm tree features and animal designs, creating a vibrant and imaginative environment for families, as well as promoting biodiversity awareness from an early age. For younger children specially selected equipment includes the new junior tower including a rope bridge, toddler swing and adventure trail. Older children can look forward to the larger tower including lookout posts, climbing nets and a big tubular slide, the rota bounce and challenging air rider. The addition of inclusive features such as the team (basket) swing and frog pinball sensory game ensure that every child can join in the fun.

Older children’s play tower and tubular slide

This upgrade reflects Coldharbour Parish Council’s commitment to improving every park we manage, following other recent enhancements across the area such as the Fitness Park on Brimmers Way. We continue to maintain many parks across our community ensuring all parks remain safe and fit for purpose.

The current Swallow Lane play park will close soon to allow work to begin, with the grand opening of the new park is expected in Summer 2026.

Junior Play tower and rope bridge for younger children

Christmas in the Square 2025 - Everything you need to know!

An annual festive favourite returns this December

We are pleased to share thart Christmas in the Square will return on Saturday 13th December running from 4pm - 7pm.

We will once again be hosting a Gift and Craft Market in our community hall, along with treats from the WI. Festive music will be provided by the excellent Aylesbury Concert Band who will performing Christmas favourites live.

The big man himself, Father Christmas has been booked and will arrive on his Sleigh in the Square, and after greeting his fans, will settle in to his grotto. Children will be able to meet Father Christmas in his grotto and may even get a festive treat from him too.

Stall holder bookings are now open for our popular Gift and Craft market. Please click the button below for more details and how to register your interest in having a stall.

Parmiter Close Park - Future use Survey

We are conducting a survey about the future use of Parmiter Close Park and we want to hear from residents of Fairford Leys.

The survey asks residents to select their preferred future use of the park and give their reason why. The survey is open now and will close on Friday 19th December 2025. Once the survey is closed, we will review the feedback and use this along with other information and feedback to decide the future use of the space.

Parmiter Close Park - Summer 2025

Parmiter Close Park is located adjacent to Parmiter Close on the southern part of Fairford Leys. It is currently closed due to essential ground works. Parmiter Close Park was a play park up until the early spring of 2025 when it was repurposed as a 'dog friendly' park. We have received lots of feedback for and against this change, so we want to review our decision and decide if the park should continue or be used in a different way.

The survey is also available as a paper version. Please visit the Fairford Leys Community Centre in Hampden Square to collect and then return the paper version of this survey.

Please note:

• This survey is only open to current residents of Fairford Leys, who can be found on the Electoral Roll.

• We can only accept one response per person (digital or paper), if multiple entries are made by the same person the most recent response will be used and earlier responses will be discarded. 

• This survey aims to inform the Parish Council of residents' opinion, it is not a ballot or referendum, so the results do not bind the Parish Council's decision making process. 

• The survey is available online, but also as a paper copy which is available to collect and return at the Fairford Leys Community Centre. 

• The survey opened on Friday 19th September 2025  and will close on Friday 19th December 2025 for both digital and paper submissions. 

Music in the Square 2025 celebrating it's 10th Anniversary

The few photos from the archive of Music in the Square 2015

Music in the Square first started in the summer of 2015 and has been a hit ever since. This year we are pleased to celebrate the event’s 10th Anniversary. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 6th September 2025 from 5pm with a great line up or artists and bands set to take the stage. Our ever popular community bar and BBQ will be operating offering great value drinks and eats, with all profits made going back to the Parish Council to spend on the community. We hope you can join us at this free to attend community event.