Press Releases

Mayor of Olney joins Vistry and Taylor Wimpey to unveil a new community facility at Yardley Manor in Buckinghamshire

The Mayor of Olney, Councillor Debbie Whitworth, joined Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and Taylor Wimpey, one of the UK’s largest housebuilders, to unveil a brand-new community facility at Yardley Manor in Olney, Buckinghamshire. The new facility has been created as a welcoming hub for residents and local groups, providing a dedicated space for community activities at the heart of this sustainable and mixed-tenure new development. 

The opening marks a significant milestone for Yardley Manor, a 250-home development that has been delivered by Vistry and Taylor Wimpey. Designed with community at its core, this new scheme is providing a range of benefits for new and existing residents, including playing pitches, play areas, a BMX track and the new community building.

Developed in close partnership with Milton Keynes City Council’s planning department and Olney Town Council, construction of the facility began in 2025 and was completed in March 2026. Since then, all parties have worked closely together to ensure the building provides a versatile and welcoming space where local community groups can meet, socialise and enjoy activities in comfortable surroundings overlooking adjacent open countryside and green spaces.

To mark the official opening this July, the Mayor of Olney, Councillor Debbie Whitworth, formally opened the new community building at a celebration featuring performances from E-ACT Ousedale School and representatives from The Cowper & Newton Museum.

Nic Chapman, Managing Director of Vistry Northern Home Counties, said: "Creating places where people can connect and thrive is an important part of delivering sustainable and thriving communities. We are delighted to see this new community facility open its doors and begin serving not only residents of Yardley Manor but the wider Olney community. The project has been shaped in close collaboration with Taylor Wimpey, Milton Keynes City Council and Olney Town Council, and we look forward to seeing it become a popular and well-used hub that brings together local people with shared interests for many years to come."

Hayden Dolby, Managing Director for Taylor Wimpey South Midlands, said: "At Taylor Wimpey, we're proud to create places that people are happy to call home. Alongside new homes, it's important to us that developments include spaces where communities can come together and thrive. Following the unveiling of Yardley Manor's public art installation last summer, the opening of the community building marks the final milestone in completing the development. It's been a pleasure to work with Vistry, Milton Keynes City Council and Olney Town Council to bring this new community hub to life, and we look forward to seeing local residents make it their own through a wide range of activities."

Councillor Debbie Whitworth, Mayor of Olney, said: “Olney Town Council are delighted to accept the new community centre into the town, it is already being well used by groups including ballet, fitness, kick boxing and Pilates, several children’s parties have taken place there already, with plans to have coffee mornings, bringing locals together. The sculpture depicting the heritage of the town is a wonderful focus to the entrance of the centre and links the old town with the new.”