Council voices concerns over Milton Keynes expansion plans

Archived press release

Date Published: 03/11/09

Aylesbury Vale District Council has expressed concerns over the expansion of Milton Keynes and potential boundary changes.

At a meeting of Milton Keynes Council's cabinet last week, members agreed to press for direct control over the expansion of the new city beyond its current boundaries.

Councillors want to start talks with AVDC about extending the current Milton Keynes Council boundaries to encompass the proposed Salden Chase development.

The site, between the A421 in the north and the former Oxford to Bletchley railway line in the south, and fringing Thrift Wood in the west, is actually in the Aylesbury Vale district.

The Salden Chase development is part of the government’s house building strategy for Aylesbury Vale. Up to 5,390 homes will be built on this site by 2026.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “I was surprised and dismayed to learn of Milton Keynes Council's cabinet's decision. The growth of Milton Keynes has been discussed for many years now and the conclusion of government in the South East Plan was that 5,390 homes should be built within Aylesbury Vale. We have accepted that decision and have been working closely with parish councils and key groups around the Salden Chase area both within Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. We are committed to creating a place where future residents can be proud to live and call their home, but which also recognises the issues facing nearby villages. This has involved a great deal of joint technical work and forms a key part of our Local Development Framework Core Strategy, which we submitted to government last week.”

Aylesbury Vale District Council will continue to work with partners to finalise the masterplanning and infrastructure requirements for the development of Salden Chase. A draft planning document will be produced by AVDC for public consultation early in 2010.