PROPOSALS FOR GROWTH IN MILTON KEYNES AND THE SOUTH MIDLANDS: YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

The public was today urged to make their views known on the draft Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub Regional Spatial Strategy that sets out proposals for growth in the next 15 to 20 years.

The draft study was launched today at the Vauxhall Recreation Club in Luton, marking the start of a 12-week public consultation process. The strategy has been prepared by three Regional Planning Bodies that cover the Milton Keynes and South Midlands sub-region - East of England Regional Assembly, the East Midlands Assembly and the South East England Regional Assembly - and proposes that growth will be focused in the following urban areas:

• Aylesbury - up to 10,600 dwellings by 2016
• Bedford-Kempston - Northern Marston Vale - up to 19,000 dwellings by 2021
• Corby/Kettering/Wellingborough - up to 40,000 dwellings by 2021
• Luton-Dunstable -Houghton Regis - up to 20,600 dwellings by 2021
• Milton Keynes - up to 33,900 dwellings by 2016
• Northampton - up to 29,400 dwellings by 2021

Key transport infrastructure improvements include:

• The development of East-West Rail (Oxford to Stansted)
• Re-opening passenger rail services to Corby
• Improvements to the M1 and A14

In a joint statement issued today, Cllr Roy Davis of the East of England Regional Assembly, Cllr Jim Wade of the East Midlands Assembly and Cllr Nick Skellett of the South East England Regional Assembly, said:

" These proposals for growth will shape the development of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands area over thenext 15-20 years. It is therefore vital that people takethis opportunity to have their say."

The draft strategy gives clear guidance on the level of healthcare and educational facilities that will be required to support the increased population in each of the growth locations. In delivering growth, the emphasis will be on urban regeneration, increasing housing densities and sustainable urban extensions. Underpinning the draft strategy is a very clear position that if the appropriate level of infrastructure investment and job creation cannot be achieved, then the level of proposed housing growth would have to be scaled back.

The need for the study was identified through the development of Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) covering the three regions. It has been informed by a series of Growth Area Assessments carried out by independent consultants. These assessments have tested the proposals of the original Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study, and recommended modified housing figures for the proposed growth areas in the sub-region. The Growth Area Assessments have also identified in more detail the infrastructure required to support the proposed level of development, including new transport, education and healthcare provision.

An independent Panel appointed by the Government will consider all comments made on the Draft Strategy; Mr Alan Richardson will chair this Panel. A Public Examination, which will begin in early March 2004 in Northampton, will look at the key issues raised by the public consultation process.

The closing date for comments is the 13 October 2003. All comments should be addressed to:

The Panel Secretary
MKSM Public Examination
PO Box 163
Room 260
County Hall
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1AX

Fax: (01604) 237649
Email: MKSM@northamptonshire.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