RHWL's Arts Team is pleased to announce that planning consent has now been formally granted by Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) for an innovative £25m theatre and entertainment centre.

Following the end of the consultation period, the receipt of outstanding consultations and approval by AVDCs Development & Control Committee, work will now continue on this five-storey state-of-the-art complex.

Arts Team Director in charge of the project, Suzie Bridges, said: "This is fantastic news and marks the beginning of yet another great year for Arts Team — 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."

The new theatre will be bigger than the current Aylesbury civic centre and will offer more flexibility for users. The 1,200-seat main hall will also accommodate an audience of up to 2,000 for standing events such as rock and pop concerts. Arts Team has developed a new architectural approach for this auditorium in response to this very particular brief.

The second space at the venue is designed for smaller productions, conferences, workshops and community use.

In the foyers, Arts Team is pushing the boundaries of timber frame construction by creating large free-form volumes.

The architectural design has been inspired by the Chiltern Hills and surrounding woodland areas. Timber columns and fins will be used on the exterior of the building and the undulating roof. A sculpted slate plinth that rises and falls will be wrapped around the building. It is being proposed that poster panels, seating areas and lighting will run along the length of the plinth.

Outside the building a new pedestrian bridge across Bear Brook, with new landscaping, has been designed.

Work on site for the venue could begin as early as the spring of 2007.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: "Im very pleased that we are closer to creating a first class theatre and entertainment centre in the town centre. We have an opportunity to develop a top quality facility for the benefit of residents and visitors to the town, and this is a very exciting prospect. We will now be fully focused on ensuring that the project comes to fruition as soon as possible."

The theatre development is part of the councils Waterside scheme — an ambitious regeneration project that will include a new shopping area and housing developments, and feature building alongside the canal and opening up this town centre asset for wider public enjoyment.