MILTON KEYNES AND SOUTH MIDLANDS STUDY- MEDIA BRIEFING FOR FACTSHEET 3

This briefing note is intended to update media on the current status of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study. Fact sheet 3, which details the work done in Stage Two of the Study, was published on Friday, 1 March 2002. This factsheet can be found on this web site.

1. Background to the study
The Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study has been commissioned by the three regional planning bodies for the South East (South East England Regional Assembly), the East of England (East of England Local Government Conference) and the East Midlands (East Midlands Region Local Government Association).

The study is being undertaken by a consortia of leading consultants. This consortia is led by planners and economists Roger Tym & Partners in association with infrastructure consultants, Halcrow and Three Dragons.

The purpose of the Study is to prepare and assess a range of scenarios for long-term sustainable growth (up to 2030) in the study area (which covers the administrative areas of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire- including Luton, Milton Keynes, and Aylesbury Vale) in order to inform the reviews of regional planning guidance (RPG) in assessing the possible scale and location of future development. Factors which are being taken into consideration include:

• Development of integrated communities
• Impact on the environment and quality of life of the area
• Facilities requirements
• Transport and infrastructure requirements
• Functional relationships

The study began in July 2001 and will be reporting to the three regional planning bodies in September 2002.

2. Current status of the study
The consultants have recently completed Stage Two of the study. Stage Two entailed an intensive three month period of data collection and analysis combined with an appraisal of the full range of current planning policies across the Study Area and the implications of continuing these policies. The stage also reviewed infrastructure availability and the adequacy of the current level of strategic infrastructure and services provision. Finally, the full range of environmental assets were identified and mapped in order to clarify the geographical constraints to development.

The consultants' team have submitted a Stage Two report to the three planning bodies. This report includes information within the region on the past and current performance, and the future prospects of:

• The economy
• People and housing
• The transport network
• The role of the main urban settlements
• Environmental assets and natural resources

Conclusions that have been drawn from the information gathered in Stage Two include:

1. The performance on the Study Area's economy has been patchy. Milton Keynes had developed a more balanced economy than elsewhere, whilst structural change is still holding back growth in some parts.
2. The transport network is overly reliant on private transport and public transport facilities are less attractive.
3. The settlement pattern and form of development in the Study Area makes it more difficult to deliver a stepped change in mass transport but the Area might use its development potential to "kick start" improvements.
4. The urban centres have distinct and complementary characters which is an asset. However, with the exception of Milton Keynes, they are showing signs of stagnation in terms of the range, scale and quality of what they have to offer.
5. It needs to be recognised that significant further growth cannot continue for the next 30 years without complementary investment in infrastructure and community facilities.

3. Next steps
In Stages Three and Four of the study, different options for levels and patterns of long term growth will be developed and evaluated to assess the extent to which they help to achieve sustainability goals and objectives. The task of the consultants is not to produce a single development option for the Study Area but rather to come forward with a range of options and to review their relative performance against appropriate sustainable development criteria.

For further media information, contact Tessa Bartholomew or Alex Butlin at the South East England Regional Assembly on 01483 555220/221. All information on the study, including the three study fact sheets which have been produced, can be found on this web site. Information on the study can also be found at www.go-se.gov.uk and www.emrlga.gov.uk.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007