Employment land in Milton Keynes lost as planners accept home builder’s case for new flats

McCann Homes has been given the green light by Milton Keynes Council planners to build two blocks with a total of 40 flats on land behind Simpson Road, in Bletchley.

The plan was approved by officers without going to a committee of elected councillors on May 27. It’s subject to a legal agreement over a developer payment of £589,826 for local education, healthcare, leisure and roads .

Planning agent Samuel Dix, of Old Wolverton-based Smith Jenkins, told the council that the land had been marketed for employment but with no luck.

He said the site represents an opportunity to build much-needed housing, including 12 “affordable” two-bed flats.

“The site is in the control of a house builder, who would deliver the 40 units quickly and certainly within five years,” he said. This would help the council meet its house building targets.”

Part of the site is occupied by a long-standing business, New City Heating, which is reorganising how their land is used.

A local objector was concerned that local roads will be hit by the extra traffic, but planners concluded that it was better to have that than more HGVs from increased storage use.

The development means a new access on to Simpson Road, which would be created by demolishing 18, Simpson Road.

Bletchley & Fenny Stratford Council Town Council supported the plan which was approved with 18 conditions.